Introduction
Tamarix africana
This shrub or small tree is a species which is very well adapted to soil with high salinity. It grows in sand and coastal lagoons along rivers and watercourses.
Its twigs and bark used to be used as an astringent. In the past, its wood was used to make receptacles for people with spleen problems to drink water.
Its branches were used as ropes for water wheels owing to their flexibility.
Planting tamarisk is ideal for stabilising dunes and river banks, the only problem being its high water consumption, which causes groundwater levels to fall.
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