tamarisk

[ tam-uh-risk ]

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.

tamarisk

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamarisk¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamarisk¹

C15: from Late Latin tamariscus, from Latin tamarix

Example Sentences

As he walked, Herrero periodically bent down to pull out a small shrub of tamarisk — an invasive species.

From Los Angeles Times

Fed by spring water — unusual for the Salton Sea — these areas are now home to small shorebirds who flit about pools of water amid grasses and invasive tamarisk.

From New York Times

Exacerbating the problem are invasive non-native plants such as the tamarisk and Russian olive tree.

From Washington Times

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

From New York Times

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