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PCA Alien Plant Working Group - Saltcedar (Tamarix aphylla; chinensis; gallica; parviflora; ramosissima) Page 2 of 5 <br />DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES: Saltcedar <br />occurs in the intermountain region of the western <br />United States, throughout the Great Basin, and <br />California and Texas. <br />IL <br />i <br />HABITAT IN THE UNITED STATES: Saltcedar <br />establishes in disturbed and undisturbed streams, <br />waterways; bottomlands, banks and drainage washes <br />of natural or artificial waterbodies, moist rangelands <br />and pastures, and other areas where seedlings can be <br />exposed to extended periods of saturated soil for <br />establishment. Saltcedar can grow on highly saline <br />soils containing up to 15,000 ppm soluble salt and can tolerate alkali conditions. <br />BACKGROUND: Saltcedar was introduced to the western U.S. as an ornamental shrub in the <br />early 1800s. <br />BIOLOGY & SPREAD: Saltcedar spreads vegetatively, by adventitious roots or submerged stems, <br />and sexually. Each flower can produce thousands of tiny (1/25-inch diameter) seeds that are <br />contained in a small capsule usually adorned with a tuft of hair that aids in wind dispersal. Seeds <br />can also be dispersed by water. Seedlings require extended periods of soil saturation for <br />establishment. <br />MANAGEMENT OPTIONS: Management of saltcedar requires a long term commitment to <br />maintain at low levels and prevent reinfestation. A variety of methods have been used in the <br />management of saltcedar, including mechanical, chemical and biological. The most effective <br />http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/tamal,htm 6/6/2005