Weed of the Month
Learn about noxious weeds and steps you can take to manage or eradicate. Each month we will bring you a new profile and helpful resources.
April Weed Profile
Saltcedar
Tamarix chinensis
Tamarix ramosissima
Saltcedar, also known as Tamarisk, was introduced into the United States in the 1800’s. Saltcedar was planted as an ornamental, to stabilize riverbanks and also as a windbreak. Saltcedar has displaced native vegetation on approximately 1.6 million acres of land. Seedlings can survive flooding and drought. This species secretes salt at a high rate on the ground and in the soil, which inhibits native plants from growing.
This plant is a deciduous shrub or small tree. Petals and sepals are arranged in groups of five, they are mostly pink, sometimes white. The plants flower anytime between April and August. The leaves are small, scale-like and bluish-green in color.
Salt cedar reproduces by seed (up to 600,000 a year) and vegetatively
Integrated management techniques include chemical, mechanical and biocontrol.
RESOURCES
Items of Interest
Weed of the Month
2021
January Weed Profile – Dalmatian Toadflax
February Weed Profile – Common Mulllein
March Weed Profile – Mediterranean Sage
2020
January Weed Profile – Cheatgrass
February Weed Profile – Myrtle Spurge
March Weed Profile – Hoary Cress
April Weed Profile – Leafy Spurge
May Weed Profile – Scotch Thistle
June Weed Profile – Dyer’s Woad
July Weed Profile – Orange Hawkweed
August Weed Profile – Purple Loosestrife
September Weed Profile – Teasel
October Weed Profile – Canada Thistle
November Weed Profile – Russian Knapweed
December Weed Profile – Russian Olive
