Tamarix gallica is one of four very closely related species that can be very hard to distinguish from each other, the distinctions being based on differences in morphology of the nectary disk and staminal filaments that are often difficult to separate, as the traits are not clearly or unequivocally expressed. The other three species are Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb.: Tamarix chinensis Lour.; and Tamarix canariensis Willd.

Common Name: Manna Plant

General Information

Tamarix gallica is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow around 2 - 10 metres tall. Tamarix species are deep-rooted plants with taproots up to 30 metres long and lateral roots up to 50 metres long that can produce suckers[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make awind-tolerant hedge, and it is also planted near the coast to bind coastal sands.
Tamarix gallica has a large extent of occurrence and is not reported as experiencing declines. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].
Tamarix gallica is fast growing and adapted to extreme environments, with high seed dispersal and vegetative reproduction capacity. It has been widely grown as an ornamental, has become naturalized in some areas andcan certainly become an aggressive colonizer on fertile soils. It is considered as an alien invasive species in Texas[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Western and central Mediterranean - Portugal to Italy and Morocco to Libya and south to Chad and Niger. Naturalized in Britain[].

Habitat

Damp ground near the coast[, ]. Edges of rivers and streams as well as in salt marshes, both coastal and inland. It can also behave as a pioneer species in soils with a certain degree of salinity[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Tamarix gallica is found especially in dry to semi-arid areas, though it can also tolerate moister climates. Mean annual rainfall can range between 100 - 600mm within its native range, though it can tolerate higher rainfall in cultivation[]. It is fairly cold-hardy, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c, perhaps a little lower[].
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 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[].
Adventitious buds in the crown area sprout when the upper part of the plant is killed or injured; new sprouts may grow 2 - 3 metres in 1 year[].
A good bee plant[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[, ].

Edible Uses

A manna is produced by the plants in response to insect damage to the stems[, ]. It is sweet and mucilaginous[]. There is some confusion over whether the manna is produced by the plant, or whether it is an exudation from the insects[]. The insects in question live in the deserts around Israel, it is not known if the manna can be produced in Britain[].

Medicinal

The branchlets and the leaves are astringent and diuretic[]. The leaves are used internally to treat asthma and liver disease[].
An external compress is applied to wounds to stop the bleeding[].

The leaves and bark are considered to be abortifacient, anthelmintic, astringent, tonic, diuretic, hepatic stimulant and stomachic[]. They are used both internally and topically to treat a range of conditions including colds, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, gingivitis, internal bleeding, internal parasites etc[].
Laying on a bed of fresh leaves is said to ease rheumatic pain[].

The manna produced on the plant is detergent, expectorant and laxative[].

Galls produced on the plant as a result of insect damage are astringent[]. They are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens[, , , ]. It dislikes being trimmed[]. The plant has a rather open habit, however, and so is not tremendously effective at reducing wind speeds[].
The extensive root system of this plant makes it suitable for use in erosion control in sandy soils[].

Other Uses

The plant contains a high level of tannin[]. Galls produced on the plant as a result of insect damage contain up to 40% tannin[]. The tannin can be used as a dyestuff for fabrics[]. (No details are given about the colour, though it is likely to be some shade of brown.)

The reddish wood is fairly hard, not strong, close grained, takes a high polish, it is often twisted or knotty[, , , ]. Used for general construction, poles, turnery[, ].
The wood makes a good fuel, burning well even when green due to the wax content of the wood[, ].

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[, ].
Root suckers[].