Practical
Plants

Tamarix gallica

Manna Plant

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Tamarix genus in the family Tamaricaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Tamarix
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
4 m
Spread
6 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A manna is produced by the plants in response to insect damage to the stems[8][2]. It is sweet and mucilaginous[2]. There is some confusion over whether the manna is produced by the plant, or whether it is an exudation from the insects[12]. The insects in question live in the deserts around Israel, it is not known if the manna can be produced in Britain[K].

Plant part
Sap
Product or use
Manna

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The branchlets and the leaves are astringent and diuretic[15]. An external compress is applied to wounds to stop the bleeding[15]. The manna produced on the plant is detergent, expectorant and laxative[11]. Galls produced on the plant as a result of insect damage are astringent[11]. They are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[11].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Detergent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Laxative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens[15][3][13][17]. It dislikes being trimmed[17]. The plant has a rather open habit, however, and so is not tremendously effective at reducing wind speeds[K]. The extensive root system of this plant makes it suitable for use in erosion control in sandy soils[4]. The plant contains a high level of tannin[15]. Galls produced on the plant as a result of insect damage contain up to 40% tannin[11]. The tannin can be used as a dyestuff for fabrics[15]. (No details are given about the colour, though it is likely to be some shade of brown.) Wood - fairly hard, not strong, close grained, takes a high polish, it is often twisted or knotty[14][4][10]. Used for general construction, poles, turnery[14][4]. It makes a good fuel, burning well even when green due to the wax content of the wood[16].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Tannin
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
W. Europe - France. Naturalized in Britain[5].
Habitat
Damp ground near the coast[5][1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant
Salinity
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very easy[9]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15 - 25cm long, planted outdoors in late autumn in a nursery bed or straight into their permanent position. High percentage[3][9].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and tolerant of saline conditions[3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils as well as in sands and even shingle[6]. Usually found near the coast, it succeeds inland if given a fairly good deep loam and a sunny position[3][9]. Tolerant of maritime winds and dry soils when grown near the coast[3], plants require a moister soil and shelter from cold drying winds when they are grown inland in non-saline soils because they use the soil salts that are found in saline soils to help them reduce transpiration[9]. This species flowers on the current year's growth[10]. Any pruning is best carried out in spring, hedges are also best trimmed at this time[7]. Plants are tolerant of severe pruning, sprouting freely from old wood[K]. The very closely related T. anglica is often included in this species. A good bee plant[16]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[18][9].

References

  1. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Vines. R. A. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-292-78958-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  7. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  10. Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0292780206

    ↩1↩2

  11. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  12. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

  13. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

    ↩

  14. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

  15. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  16. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  17. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  18. RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00

    ↩

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