tamarisk

noun

tam·​a·​risk ˈta-mə-ˌrisk 

: any of a genus (Tamarix of the family Tamaricaceae, the tamarisk family) of deciduous large shrubs and small trees native to Asia and the Mediterranean region and widely naturalized in North America that have tiny, scalelike leaves and feathery racemes of small, white to pink flowers

Note: Tamarisks are often considered weeds in North America where they thrive especially in arid or semiarid regions.

To survive in arid areas where the groundwater is saline, tamarisks have evolved the ability to get rid of salt by pumping it out onto their leaves.

—Josie Glausiusz

… tamarisk has been so successful that it is now the dominant plant in most desert riparian areas, blanketing more than a million acres in 15 states.

—Sharon Cohoon

called also salt cedar

Examples of tamarisk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Inside were stone benches and mats made from tamarisk twigs, an altar and a heap of cowrie shells apparently once strung up in a curtain across the door. —Jo Marchant, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2024

Removing it is hard work and there are no short cuts (see: tamarisk beetle, infestation). —Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 13 May 2024

Take shade beneath tamarisk trees on the sandy beach and watch fishing caiques rhythmically bob on the water. —Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2024

Take the spread of tamarisk, an invasive treelike shrub that has displaced native vegetation in the canyon and around other Western rivers. —Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 6 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tamarisc, from Late Latin tamariscus, from Latin tamaric-, tamarix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tamarisk

noun

tam·​a·​risk ˈtam-ə-ˌrisk 

: any of a genus of chiefly desert shrubs of Eurasia and Africa that have small narrow leaves and clusters of tiny flowers