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Saltcedar(Tamarix spp.) <br /> Tamarisk family (Tamaricaceae) <br /> Saltcedar is an invasive plant common to southwestern short-lived seeds have tufts of hair that aid in wind <br /> states and has been listed as a noxious weed in New Mexico. and animal dispersal. <br /> This field guide is intended to serve as the U.S.Forest <br /> Ecology <br /> Service's recommendations for management of saltcedar in <br /> forests,woodlands,riparian areas,and rangelands associated Impacts/threats—Saltcedar alters the ecology and <br /> with the Forest Service's Southwestern Region.The hydrology of native riparian systems and generally <br /> region consists of 11 national forests in Arizona and New diminishes habitat quality.Leaf drop increases soil salinity <br /> Mexico together with 3 national grasslands in New Mexico, and lessens microbial activity.Evapotranspiration rates for <br /> Oklahoma,and Texas. saltcedar are higher than for native riparian species which <br /> may reduce streamflows.Soils become drier under dense <br /> saltcedar stands;however,saltcedar can provide nesting for <br /> Description birds and may be an important pollen source for honeybees. <br /> Tamarix is one of four genera in the Tamaricaceae and is Location—Found throughout most of the United States <br /> represented by 54 species worldwide. Tamarix taxonomy except for parts of New England,Middle Atlantic States, <br /> is somewhat disputed,and authors can have nomenclatures and the Midwest.Common along disturbed and undisturbed <br /> different from each other.The common names of tamarisk streams,riverbanks,desert springs,flood plains,drainages, <br /> and saltcedar have been applied to many species of the and irrigation waterways.Seedlings require saturated soil to <br /> genus;however,these terms usually refer to T.chinensis or establish. <br /> T.ramosissima in the southwestern United States.Although <br /> these species can hybridize,many taxonomists consider Spread—Rapid colonization and expansion most commonly <br /> them to be the same species since they are indistinguishable occurs with flood events or water inundation.Seeds float on <br /> from one another;in which case,T.chinensis is the proper water and require damp soil moisture for germination and <br /> taxonomic name. seedling survival. <br /> Growth Characteristics Contributing Factors—The saltcedar root system is <br /> • Perennial,deciduous,small shrub or tree,5 to 25 feet dominated by a root crown that lies 12 to 18 inches below <br /> tall. the soil surface.Buds on the root crown and shallow lateral <br /> • Shallow,lateral rhizomes and deep roots can roots will sprout new stems rapidly when aerial portions of <br /> penetrate to a depth of 30 feet or more.Sprouting the plant are removed. <br /> commonly occurs from disturbed root crowns or from <br /> stems or roots lying near the soil surface. Management <br /> • Small,scaly,bluish-green flat leaves resemble Saltcedar may be managed to enhance downstream <br /> evergreen"needles." waterflow,recreation,fire prevention,grazing,flood control, <br /> • Reddish-brown branches are smooth,slender,and and aesthetics.Strategies to control saltcedar often vary <br /> flexible but snap off easily.Bark becomes furrowed depending on specific management objectives and location <br /> and ridged with age. within a watershed.For example,an eradication strategy <br /> • Flowers March through October.Thousands of in headwater areas may be used to prevent the downstream <br /> tiny,pink-to-white flowers with five petals produce spread of saltcedar along waterways.In transitional zones, <br /> extremely small seeds that resemble pepper.Tips of such as river edges or riparian areas,saltcedar may be <br /> removed to enhance waterflow and channel characteristics. <br /> 1 <br />