Salt Cedar (Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb)

SALT CEDAR

(Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb)

GROWTH HABIT:  Evergreen Shrub or small tree, up to thirty feet tall, spread by seed.

LEAVES:  Small scale like, resemble cedars, salty residue that collects on foliage.

STEMS:  Numerous, slender, upright and highly branched, smooth reddish brown bark, become furrowed and ridged with age.

FLOWERS:  Pink to white, five petaled.

ROOTS:  Extensive, crown to about 18 inches deep.

SEEDS:  500,000 seeds, small, easily dispersed by wind.

OTHER:  Dependent on ground water, areas become dryer with long term occupation.