Tamarix chinensis
Fivestamen tamarisk, Fivestamen Tamarisk
(c) W. Terry Hunefeld, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by W. Terry Hunefeld · licence
Family: Tamaricaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Tamarix chinensis (Fivestamen tamarisk) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Tamaricaceae family, recognized by Co-occurs with 4 other species; stamen attachment position is key but subtle diagnostic feature.
Fivestamen tamarisk is a naturalized shrub found in southern California coastal areas, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, eastern Sierra Nevada, and desert regions in canyon, riverbank, and roadside habitats at elevations below 1,300 meters. Flowering from March to November, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers in small clusters up to 6 centimeters long. Growing as a multi-stemmed shrub to 8 meters tall with slender, arching branches, it forms dense thickets in disturbed landscapes. Its small, narrow lanceolate leaves are approximately 1.5 to 3 millimeters long, creating a fine, feathery texture along the branches. The plant produces five-petaled flowers with five stamens, each petal about 1.5 to 2 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 4 other species; stamen attachment position is key but subtle diagnostic feature
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Canyons, riverbanks, roadsides
Elevation: < 1300 m
Outside California: to Montana, Texas, northern Mexico, native to eastern Asia
Bloom period
Tamarix chinensis blooms Mar-Nov.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Casuarina: Tamarix has jointed green twigs with scale leaves; Casuarina has grooved twigs with whorled scale teeth.; vs Artemisia: Tamarix has bladeless scale leaves on jointed twigs; Artemisia has small but distinct lobed leaves.; vs Neltuma: Tamarix has scale-like leaves on delicate twigs; mesquite has compound leaves with distinct leaflets.; vs Pinus: Tamarix has jointed green deciduous twigs; pine has woody branches with clustered needles.; vs Acacia: Tamarix has tiny scale leaves on jointed twigs; Acacia has distinct compound leaves or flattened leaf-like stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tamarix chinensis native to California?
No. Tamarix chinensis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Tamarix chinensis bloom?
Tamarix chinensis blooms Mar-Nov.
What plant family does Tamarix chinensis belong to?
Tamarix chinensis is in the Tamaricaceae family, genus Tamarix.
Is Tamarix chinensis invasive in California?
Tamarix chinensis is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Tamarix chinensis grow in?
Tamarix chinensis grows in Common. Canyons, riverbanks, roadsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.