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Common Name: Tamarisk

General Information

Tamarix canariensis is a Deciduous Tree
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe - Mediterranean. Canary Isles.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	0.00 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[].
Growth can be restricted by cutting back the plants in spring, hedges are also best trimmed at this time[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

A sweet manna-like substance that exudes from the stems is collected and mixed with flour, sugar and almonds, formed into cakes and baked as a sweetmeat[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens.

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[, ].