Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.)



  • Saltcedar Plant Mature 215x150

Category C Weed

Tamarisk family (Tamaricaceae)

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Stem

  • Shrub or small tree; multiple large stems arise from root crown; up to 20 ft. tall, highly branched with reddish-brown bark; leaves turn yellow to red in autumn

    Leaves

    • Alternate; deciduous; green to blue-green, small (0.06-0.14 in. long), oval to lance-shaped, overlapping and scale-like

      Flower

      • Tiny with 5 white to pink petals; arranged in finger-like clusters at the tips of branches

        Root

        • Deep taproot with creeping roots

          Other

          • Often found along edges of waterways, lakes and ponds; known to occur in all Nevada counties

          • Perennial; reproduces by seed, roots and stem fragments

          • High concentration of salt in fallen leaves can impact growth of other plants

          • Also known as tamarisk

            Control

            • Cutting, digging or burning MUST be combined with a chemical application to be effective

            • An insect biological control agent is available

            • Apply imazapyr to actively growing foliage during flowering; triclopyr, glyphosate or imazapyr as a cut stump or basal bark treatment

              Images

              Saltcedar Infestation 215x150
              Infestation
              Saltcedar Plant Mature 215x150
              Mature plants
              Saltcedar Plant Young 215x150
              Young plant
              Saltcedar Flower1 215x150
              Flower bloom
              Saltcedar Flower2 215x150
              Individual flowers
              Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide
              Nevada Noxious Weed Guide