French Tamarisk
Tamarix gallica
- Native to:
- Algeria, Baleares, Chad, Corse, France, Italy, Libya, Morocco, Niger, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Tunisia, Western Sahara
Christian Ferrer
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Tamaricaceae
- Genus:
- Tamarix
- Species:
- Tamarix gallica
- USDA Symbol:
- TAGA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 800 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Electra buckmoth (Hemileuca electra)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots and crown after fire or cutting, contributing to its invasive persistence.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, saline, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- tolerates saline conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination and are short-lived, losing viability within weeks. Surface sow on moist soil.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI