Tamarix dioica

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Tamarix dioica
Tamarix dioica Bra6.png
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Tamaricaceae
Genus: Tamarix
Species:
T. dioica
Binomial name
Tamarix dioica
Roxb. ex Roth
Synonyms

Tamarix gallica Wight.

Tamarix dioica is a twiggy shrub or small tree that grows in saline habitats in western Asia. Common names include ghaz and khagal in Pakistan, [1] lal jhau, urusia, ban jhau, nona-gach, urichiya in Bangladesh and nona jhau in the Sunderbans. [2]

Contents

Description

Tamarix dioica is a shrub or small tree with reddish bark which grows to a maximum height of 6 m (20 ft). The leaves are greyish-green, tiny and scale-like, overlapping each other along the stem. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The inflorescences are racemes up to 8 cm (3 in) long with pink or purple flowers [2] [3]

Distribution and habitat

Tamarix dioica is native to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Burma. [3] It is one of the dominant plants of dwarf semi-shrub desert vegetation in flood plains and dry riverbeds where it occurs in association with Salvadora persica and Vachellia nilotica subsp. indica . [4]

Uses

Tamarix dioica is used in traditional medicine as a diuretic and a carminative, [1] as an astringent, [2] and for the treatment of inflammation of the liver and spleen. An extract of the leaves has been shown to have antifungal activity. Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of several unusual phytochemicals and further investigation needs to be undertaken to determine whether any of these are a potential source of useful drugs. [1]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Pyracantha crenulata</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Tamarix ramosissima</i> Species of shrub

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<i>Tamarix gallica</i> Species of plant

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<i>Wrightia tinctoria</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Tamarix chinensis</i> Species of tree

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<i>Tamarix parviflora</i> Species of flowering plant

Tamarix parviflora is a species of tamarisk known by the common name smallflower tamarisk.

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<i>Ficus auriculata</i> Species of fig

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<i>Melaleuca tamariscina</i> Species of flowering plant

Melaleuca tamariscina, commonly known as bush-house paperbark or tamarix honey-myrtle is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to central Queensland in Australia. It grows to the height of a small tree with small, scale-like leaves that are pressed against the branches, and has a papery bark and a weeping habit.

<i>Iris hookeriana</i> Species of plant

Iris hookeriana is a plant species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Pseudoregelia. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the Himalayan mountains of India and Pakistan. It has long pale green or yellow green leaves, long slender stem and fragrant blue, purple or lilac flowers, that are mottled with a darker colour. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.

<i>Tamarix nilotica</i> Species of plant

Tamarix nilotica, the Nile tamarisk is a species of shrub or small tree in the tamarisk family. It is found in arid parts of North Africa and the Middle East, particularly areas with high salinity. It forms part of the dune stabilisation process.

<i>Tamarix usneoides</i> Species of shrub

Tamarix usneoides, locally known as wild tamarisk, is a twiggy shrub or small evergreen tree that grows in saline habitats, semi-deserts and karroid areas in southern Africa, ranging from Angola through Namibia to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. It has a short trunk, thin branches usually growing from ground level, tiny scale-like leaves and spikes of creamy-white flowers.

<i>Alnus nitida</i> Species of plant in the genus Alnus

Alnus nitida, the west Himalayan alder, is a species in the genus Alnus, native to Pakistan, the western Himalayas, and Nepal. It is a tree reaching 20 to 25 m, preferring to live along the banks of rivers. It is used locally for timber and firewood, and as a street tree. The bark is used in some places for tanning and dyeing purposes. It grows well in heavy, clay soils and tolerates infertile soils. The leaves are thin, oval to ovate, 3-6 inches long and 2-3 inches wide. Female flowers appear first, followed by male catkinss in September to October, which may be up to 19 cm long. The fruits are woody cones, typically 2.5-3.5 cm long.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Samejoa, Muhammad Qasim; Sumbula, Adeela; Shaha, Shahnila; Memona, Sara Bano; Chundrigara, Shahjabeen (2013). "Phytochemical screening of Tamarix dioica Roxb. ex Roch". Journal of Pharmacy Research. 7 (2): 181–183. doi:10.1016/j.jopr.2013.02.017.
  2. 1 2 3 "Tamarix dioica". Medicinal plants of Bangladesh. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Tamarix dioica". Flora of Pakistan. efloras.org. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  4. Perry, R.A.; Goodall, D.W. (1979). Arid Land Ecosystems: Volume 1: Structure, Functioning and Management. CUP Archive. p. 256. ISBN   978-0-521-21842-9.