Tamarix aphylla is the largest known species of Tamarix, with heights up to 18 metres (59 ft). The species has a variety of common names, including Athel tamarisk,[1]Athel tree, and Athel pine. It is an evergreen tree, native across North, East, and Central Africa, through the Middle East, and into parts of Western and Southern Asia.
Tamarix aphylla grows as a tree to 18 metres (59 ft) high. The tiny leaves are alternately arranged along the branches, and exude salt, which can form a crusted layer on the surface, and drop onto the ground beneath.[3] The species can reproduce by seed, by suckering, or from a cutting. It blooms from July till November.[4]
Salt tolerance and collecting humidity
The tree is known to be very tolerant of salts. It has been found that it excretes concentrated salty water from glands on its leaf surfaces; the water evaporates leaving a crust of crystals containing more than ten salts. Most of the crystals fall off, but the crystals of at least one, lithium sulphate, remain stuck on the leaves. These particular crystals swell with the small amount of humidity in the atmosphere at night, and the leaves absorb the moisture, helped by an adhesive surface that holds on to the water.[5][6]
Uses
Tamarix aphylla has been used as a windbreak and shade tree in agriculture and horticulture for decades, especially in dryer regions such as the western United States and central and western Australia. Due to its higher fire adaptability, it can be used as a barrier to fire. Even when dry, the wood of Tamarix is difficult to burn, due to the high ash content (30–40%) and higher salt content of its foliage. After a fire it usually regrows, unless the root-crown is destroyed.[2]
The nectar from the blossoms of Tamarix aphylla produces high-quality honey with a unique taste. Due to the drought- and salt-tolerant properties of the tree, it could be planted as an agroforestry species, as well as for reclamation of marginal lands. A vegetative propagation method for the tree using the aeroponics technique has recently been developed.[7]
The wood of the tree is usable in several applications, having medium mechanical properties.[8]
Australia
Within these regions, it has spread, most dramatically and noticeably in central Australia after the floods of 1974 along the Finke River in the Northern Territory. Since then it has become a serious weed and invasive species in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. The species had been present for many decades without much spread before this.[9]
It is commonly used for windbreaks on the edges of agricultural fields and as a shade tree in the deserts of the Southwestern United States. This species has not naturalized in areas of the United States where it has been grown, unlike other species in the genus Tamarix that are vigorously invasive.[2]
History
Most botanists and Bible scholars believe that the eshel tree planted by Abraham in the Book of Genesis, was Tamarix aphylla,[11]Carl Linnaeus wrote that its name was derived from the Ancient Greek 'a' "without", and 'phyllon' "leaf".[12]
In Urdu and Hindi, the tree is called farash (فراش) and in Punjabi, it is called kooan (کواں). In Baluchi, it is called shakargaaz or siahgaaz. In Saraiki, it is called Khagal.[13]
^ ab
Griffin, G.F.; Smith, D.M.S.; Morton, S.R.; Allan, G.E.; Masters, K.A.; Preece, N. (1989). "Status and implications of the invasion of tamarisk (Tamarix aphylla) on the Finke River, Northern Territory, Australia". Journal of Environmental Management. 29 (4): 297–315.
^"Athel pine". www.weeds.org.au. Weeds of National Significance. Weeds Australia. Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
