Tamarix parviflora DC.

Common Name and Taxonomic Placement

Tamarix parviflora, commonly known as smallflower tamarisk, is a species of tamarisk.

Native Distribution

It is native to southeastern Europe, including Albania, the East Aegean Islands, Greece, Crete, and the former Yugoslavia, as well as Turkey.

Introduced Distribution Range

It has been introduced to many other regions: Algeria, Austria, Cape Provinces, Corsica, Italy, Libya, Mexico, Pakistan, Sicily, Spain, the West Himalayas, and western North America, which includes Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas.

Invasive Status

In these introduced areas, it is classified as an invasive species.

Habitat Preferences

It readily grows in moist habitats, particularly in saline soils.

Growth Form and Size

It is a shrub or tree that reaches up to approximately 5 meters in height.

Foliage Characteristics

Its branching twigs are covered in tiny linear leaves that are no longer than 2 to 3 millimeters.

Inflorescence Traits

The inflorescence is a dense spike of flowers that measures 1 to 4 centimeters long.

Flower Characteristics

Each tiny flower has four pink petals.

Taxonomic Publication History

This species was first published and described by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in Prodr. volume 3 on page 97, in 1828.