Tamarisk

a genus of ornamental plants comprising several species. The common tamarisk is an ornamental plant. It is found in the Mediterranean. The leaves have a feathery aspect. The plant prefers salty shores. In late summer it bears a profusion of pink flowers. It has been planted extensively in the United States, but it cannot stand the northern winter. The stem and leaves are charged with sulphite of soda. A species not uncommon in southeastern Asia produces manna. Still another species of tamarisk produces galls which contain half their own weight of tannin. These galls are collected and sold for medicine. Yet another species found in northwestern India and westward is known as the tamarisk salt tree. It is a drought-resisting plant, and exudes salt until the bark of the stem and twigs become quite encrusted. The natives collect this salt of culinary purposes.