WikipediaRead full entry Tamarix gallica, the French Tamarisk,
is a deciduous, herbaceous, twiggy shrub or small tree reaching
up to about 5 meters high. It is indigenous to Saudi Arabia and
the Sinai Peninsula, and very common around the Mediterranean
region. It is present in many other areas as an invasive
introduced species, often becoming a noxious weed. It was first
described for botanical classification by the taxonomist Carolus
Linnaeus in 1753, but had already been in cultivation since
1596. In its native range the plant grows in moist areas such as
riverbanks, especially in saline soils. It has been grown as an
ornamental plant for its profuse production of showy pink flower
spikes. In Algeria and surrounding areas it has been used
medicinally for rheumatism, diarrhea, and other maladies. -
"Profile for Tamarix gallica (French tamarisk)". PLANTS
Database. USDA, NRCS. Retrieved November 10, 2011. - Eleanor
Lawrence, Ed. (1985). The Illustrated Book of Trees & Shrubs.
New York, NY: Gallery Books, an im