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Tamarix parviflora DC.

Reference
Prodr. 3:97 (1828)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Avon Wheatbelt, Swan Coastal Plain.
IBRA Subregions
Dandaragan Plateau, Katanning, Perth.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Brookton, Busselton, Chittering, Gingin, Moora, York.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

General Biology. Growth form. Shrub. Reproduction. Seed, stem and root fragments. Dispersal. Water, wind, machinery, garden refuse. Time to first flowering. 3 years. Vegetative regeneration strategy. Resprouts. Seedbank persistence. Short, days to less than one year. Fire response. Plants generally resprout following fire, however, the response can vary greatly depending on timing (temperature and moisture conditions), phenological stage of plants and fire severity.

Notes. The four-petal flowers of T. parviflora distinguish it from T. aphylla which have five-petal flowers. It is not listed as a WONS species, however it is naturalised in Western Australia and has the potential to become a serious environmental weed. Moderately drought tolerant, though less drought tolerant than other Tamarix species. Seed is highly viable when fresh. Long tap roots allow it to intercept deep water tables and interfere with natural aquatic systems. Leaves are not highly flammable due to high moisture content, even though they contain volatile oils.

Additional information. Origin. Southeastern Europe, including Turkey, Crete, Greece and the Balkan states. History of use/introduction. Garden escape. Similar exotic species. T. aphylla, T. ramosissima.

Suggested method of management and control. Inject 100% glyphosate into root crown. In pasture or degraded areas, manually removal all plant parts and follow up control any regrowth. In sensitive environments, cut stem to ground level, immediately paint with Access® 17ml/L in diesel (using glyphosate with cut stump is ineffective). Where there is limited risk of off-target damage or impacts on waterways try foliar spray with triclopyr 600g/L at 1.7 to 10ml/L in water. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comments
Flowering                 O Y Y O  
Fruiting Y                     Y  
Optimum Treatment Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y  

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • CRC Weed Management (2008) Weed management guide - Athel Pine (Tamarix aphylla). The CRC for Australian Weed Management URL: http://www.weeds.crc.org.au/weed_management/indiv_species_a.html#athelpine - Accessed February 2008.
  • Gouldthorpe, J. (2008) Athel Pine. National Best Practice Management Manual. Northern Territory Government, Northern Territory.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Zouhar, K. (2003) Tamarix spp. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory URL: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/tamspp/all.html - Accessed October 2009.