Tamarix gallica
French tamarisk
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Family: Tamaricaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Tamarix gallica (French tamarisk) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Tamaricaceae family, recognized by Co-occurs with 4 other species; coastal distribution and stamen fusion diagnostic.
French tamarisk is a naturalized shrub found in coastal California regions including the Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay Area, and Southern California coastal areas at elevations below 300 meters in washes, flats, and roadsides. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces pale pink to white flowers in delicate, elongated clusters 1.4 to 5 centimeters long. Growing as a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree to 5 meters tall, it has slender, closely spaced branches with small, scale-like leaves. Its tiny leaves are lanceolate, approximately 1.5 to 2 millimeters long, creating a soft, feathery appearance along the branches. The flowers feature five small, pointed sepals and five delicate petals, with stamens that blend into a subtle nectary disk.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 4 other species; coastal distribution and stamen fusion diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Washes, flats, roadsides
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: to South Carolina, northern Mexico, native to southern Europe
Bloom period
Tamarix gallica blooms Jun-Aug.
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 gallica native to California?
No. Tamarix gallica is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Tamarix gallica bloom?
Tamarix gallica blooms Jun-Aug.
What plant family does Tamarix gallica belong to?
Tamarix gallica is in the Tamaricaceae family, genus Tamarix.
Is Tamarix gallica invasive in California?
Tamarix gallica is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Tamarix gallica grow in?
Tamarix gallica grows in Uncommon. Washes, flats, 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.