tamarisk

American  

[tam-uh-risk] / ˈtæm ə rɪsk /

noun

1. any Old World tropical plant of the genus Tamarix, especially T. gallica, an ornamental Mediterranean shrub or small tree having slender, feathery branches.

2. a shrub or small tree, Tamarix chinensis, of Eurasia, having scalelike leaves and clusters of pink flowers, naturalized in the southwestern U.S., where it has become a troublesome weed.

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tamarisk British  

/ ˈtæmərɪsk /

noun

1. any of various ornamental trees and shrubs of the genus Tamarix, of the Mediterranean region and S and SE Asia, having scalelike leaves, slender branches, and feathery clusters of pink or whitish flowers: family Tamaricaceae

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Etymology

Origin of tamarisk

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English tamariscus, from Late Latin, variant of Latin tamarīc-, stem tamarix; further origin uncertain

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tamarisk

Meanwhile, pollen preserved in nearby sediments revealed a variety of wetland plants, including reeds, sedges, willow, tamarisk, and aquatic vegetation.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026

Camels and sheep graze in a landscape dotted with tamarisk and persimmon trees in scenes unchanged from 2,000 years ago, and some clerics say that is how it should stay, insisting on the site's sanctity.

From Reuters ● Dec. 14, 2022

Invasive fire-prone species of tree, such as tamarisk, have moved in beneath the old cottonwoods.

From New York Times ● Aug. 2, 2022

Six years ago, workers removed invasive tamarisk trees at the site and planted a forest of native cottonwoods, willows and mesquites.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2022

Although in an understandable hurry to incinerate the magazines, Vincent paused for a moment to stare at a tiny yellow-breasted warbler flitting about in the green mist of the left-hand tamarisk tree.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

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