Common Name: Small-Flowered Tamarisk

General Information

Tamarix parviflora is a deciduous shrub or small tree with a rounded crown; it usually grows around 2 - 3 metres tall but occasionally reaches 5 metres[].
The plant is often grown as an ornamental, valued for its showy, pink flowers in the spring. It can be grown as a windbreak hedge and also along the sides of streams to stabilize the soil.
Tamarix parviflora is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].
Tamarix parviflora is cultivated as an ornamental and to provide shelter from the wind. It has an extremely high reproduction rate, the ability to produce seeds over a very long time period (throughout the growing season), very efficient means of seed dispersal, the ability to reproduce vegetatively as well as by seed, and mechanisms for rapid seed germination and seedling establishment. It has managed to become naturalized in several areas outside its native range and is a declared noxious weed in the USA[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Southeast Europe - Balkans, Greece to Turkey

Habitat

Hedges and river banks[]. Not found on saline soils.Pebbly river banks, damp sites near river banks and well watered forests on lime[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	4.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Tamarix parviflora is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures falling to around -20°c in winter and rising to around 50°c in the summer[].
An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and tolerant of saline conditions in cultivation[]. 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[].
Plants flower mainly on wood produced in the previous summer[]. Growth can be restricted by cutting back the plants after they have flowered in the spring, hedges are also best trimmed at this time[].
Closely related to Tamarix tetrandra.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens[]. It does not like being trimmed[].
The plant can be grown along the sides of streams in order to stabilize the banks[].

Other Uses

Tamarix species are generally a good source of tannins, which are often used medicinally or in dyes etc. All parts of the plant can be used, the roots contain around 16 - 18% tannins, whilst the leaves contain 11 - 12%[].

The wood of Tamarix species is usually hard and firm, and is suitable for turning[].
The wood is waxy and can be used for fuel, burning well even when green[].

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[, ].