Quick facts
| Arabic name | الطرفاء |
|---|---|
| English name | Nile Tamarisk (Tarfa) |
| Scientific name | Tamarix nilotica |
| Family | Tamarisk family (Tamaricaceae) |
| Plant type | Shrub or small tree |
| Height | 2 to 5 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to February
Harvest
Not harvested
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A shrub with thin branches, tiny scale leaves and small white or pink flowers in clusters.
Where it grows
Common in valleys, salt flats and farm edges in most regions.
Soil
Handles salty, wet and sandy soil.
Water and irrigation
Handles drought once its roots reach groundwater.
Climate and light
Handles strong heat.
Propagation
Easily from cuttings.
Benefits and uses
- Holds soil and dunes
- Handles salt
- A windbreak
- Good for bees
Drawbacks
- Can use groundwater
- Drops tiny leaves
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Tamarix nilotica
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Tamarix nilotica
- Wikipedia: Tamarix nilotica
- Chaudhary, S. A. (1999-2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh.
- National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)