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Common Name: Athel Tamarisk

General Information

Tamarix aphylla is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 10.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

W. Asia to N.E. Africa.

Habitat

Wadis in hot desert areas in salty and non-salty habitats.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and tolerant of saline conditions[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils as well as in sands and even shingle[]. Usually found near the coast, it succeeds inland if given a fairly good deep loam and a sunny position[, ]. Tolerant of maritime winds and dry soils when grown near the coast[], plants require a moister soil and shelter from cold drying winds when they are grown inland in non-saline soils because they use the soil salts that are found in saline soils to help them reduce transpiration[].
This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain[], but it succeed in the milder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[].
This species flowers on the current year's growth[]. Any pruning is best carried out in spring, hedges are also best trimmed at this time[]. Plants are tolerant of severe pruning, sprouting freely from old wood[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

A sweet manna-like substance that forms on the twigs is used to adulterate cane sugar[, ]. It can also be eaten with porridge etc or mixed with water to make a refreshing drink[].

Medicinal

The galls are astringent[].
The bark is astringent and bitter[].

Other Uses

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens[].
Galls produced on the twigs and flowers (probably as a result of insect activity[]) contain up to 55% tannin[].
The wood has been used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Very easy[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15 - 25cm long, planted outdoors in late autumn in a nursery bed or straight into their permanent position. High percentage[, ].