Weed ID

TAMARISK or SALT CEDAR

Tamaricaceae or Tamarisk Family
Tamaris ramosissima and T. chinensis

GROWTH HABIT: Deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees reaching 5 to 20 feet tall.

LEAVES: Small leaves on green stems are alternate, overlap each other and appear scale-like (similar to a cedar tree). Foliage is salty to taste.

STEMS: Highly branched with a smooth, dark brown to reddish-brown bark.

FLOWERS: Borne in finger-like clusters on terminal and lateral branches, are small, pink to white and have five petals.

ROOTS: Large plants of saltcedar can transpire at least 200 gallons per plant each day and will often dry up ponds and streams.

REPRODUCES: By seed.

HABITAT: Sold as ornamentals, but have escaped and become naturalized along streams, canals, and reservoirs in much of the West.

"This plant can soak up to 200 gallons of water per day per plant"