Five-Stamen Tamarisk
Tamarix chinensis
- Native to:
- China
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Tamaricaceae
- Genus:
- Tamarix
- Species:
- Tamarix chinensis
- USDA Symbol:
- TACH2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 800 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Angle-barred pug (Eupithecia innotata), Glena cognataria, White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), zebra caterpillar moth (Melanchra picta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously after fire; fire can promote spread.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, saline, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.5 (slightly acidic to alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- tolerates saline conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; cold stratification may improve uniformity.
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Fluctuating 15°C night, 20°C day, may germinate in 24 hrs