French Tamarix, Manna plant
Tamarix gallica
Family: Tamaricaceae
What it is like
A small slender tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 3-10 m high. It branches densely from the base. The branches are long and thin. The bark is smooth and ashy grey. The bark and branches have lenticels. The leaves are very small and almost like scales. They are 3-5 mm wide. They are sword shaped and overlapping. They are bluish-green. The flowers are small and pink. They grow as many together in spike like racemes 2-4 cm long. They are mostly at the end of young branches. The fruit is a 3 sided capsule.
Where it is found
It is native to Sicily and Canary Is. It grows in temperate regions. It grows in coastal regions. It will grow on sandy soil. It can grow in salty soil. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Algeria, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Britain, Canary Islands, Caribbean, Central Africa, Chad, Chile, China, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Europe, France, Greece, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Libya, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, North Africa, North America, Sahel, SE Asia, Senegal, Siberia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tunisia, USA, West Africa, West Indies
How it is used for food
When the stem is cut, a honey-like substance is produced and is eaten by desert Bedouins. It is mixed with flour, sugar or honey and sweet almonds and made into cakes.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Manna, sap, flower
How it is grown
Plants are grown from cuttings.
The sap droplets melt in the heat of the sun so need to be collected before sunrise. The sap is released from the punctures of s very small insect.
Its other names
Local names
Attil, Momaka, Navadna tamariĊĦa, Saingsa, Tamarisk, Tarajol, Taray, Tarfe
Synonyms
Tamarix algeriensis; Tamarix canariensis;