Tamarix chinensis
(Salt-cedar)
Tamarix chinensis, John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent Co. 9903
Tamarix chinensis, Along CO 104 east of La Junta, Otero Co. 9829
Tamarix chinensis, Along CO 104 east of La Junta, Otero Co. 9832
Tamarix chinensis, Along CO 104 east of La Junta, Otero Co. 9862
Tamarix chinensis, Along CO 104 east of La Junta, Otero Co. 9836
Tamarix chinensis, John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent Co. 9895
Tamarix chinensis, John Martin Reservoir State Park, Bent Co. 07288
| Scientific Name | Tamarix chinesis (Tamarix ramosissima) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | TACH2 |
| Common Name | Salt Cedar | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 22308 |
| Family | Tamaricaceae (Tamarix) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Life zones and habitat: Planis and foothills (3500 to 7500 ft.); sandy soils along streams, areas near lakes and reservoirs, salt flats and waste areas. Introduced from Eurasia; very invasive. Plant: Spreading deciduous shrubs or small trees, up to 26 ft. tall, but usually half that; numerous slender, spreading branches; younger branches are reddish in color, older bark is brown. Leaves: Small, scale-like blades, alternate, triangular-ovate or lanceolate, 1/8-inch long or less, sessile. Inflorescence: Small, pale pink to white flowers arranged in spike-like racemes 3/4 to 2-3/4 inches long; flowers with 5 very small petals about 1/16-inch long or less and 5 sepals. Bloom Period: May to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Texas Invasives, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and SEINet. Note: Some authorities consider T. ramosissimus to be synomynous with T chinensis. From the literature, one obvious difference is that the bark of the former is reddish-brown and the latter, brown to blackish-purple. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key | Colorado Status: Introduced INVASIVE |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains