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Saltcedar

Tamarix ramosissima

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in brackish marshes, coastal hammocks, dunes and coastal sands, sand and gravel bars along rivers, disturbed areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Arkansas. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height
5–25 feet
Spread
4–20 feet
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to average
See native alternatives

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  • Smooth Sumac
    Rhus glabra

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Green or white.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Rusty Blackhaw
    Viburnum rufidulum

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Cream or white.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

    Different: flower color

  • Buttonbush
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    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Moist to wet. Flowers: White.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

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At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
May to October

Recorded in 9 Arkansas counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Streams, rivers and their banks

Flowing water and its banks, bars and rocky shoals.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

2CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AR

Genus host records with ranges including AR · Tamarix

  • Glena cognatariaBlueberry Gray
  • Melanchra pictaPainted Arches, Zebra Caterpillar Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Tamaricaceae
Hardiness
Zones 2a–9b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Pink

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

Arkansas rankSNA
Global rankGNR
AR statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources