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:
- 600 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- 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
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously after fire; fire can promote seed germination and seedling establishment.
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:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; cold stratification may improve uniformity.