False tamarisk
Botanical Name
Myricaria germanica
Family
Tamaricaceae (tamarisk)
Also known as
German tamarisk
Where is it originally from?
Eurasia
What does it look like?
Deciduous shrub (<1.5 m) with upright branches and small, narrowly triangular leaves (<5.5 mm x 1.6 mm) held close to its branches that appear bluish-green due to salt secretions on the underside. Small, pink, 5-petalled (3 mm) flowers are in hanging clusters from January, and are followed by small grey capsules containing seeds (0.7-0.9 mm, Feb-Mar).
Are there any similar species?
Chinese tamarisk (Tamarix chinensis) and T. parviflora are very similar.
Why is it weedy?
Alters the natural environment of stony river beds.
How does it spread?
Seeds are spread by wind and water.
What damage does it do?
Reduces the habitat available for birds that nest in braided riverbeds, while also providing cover for the predators that attack them.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Stony riverbeds.
