---
{
  "id": "tamarisk",
  "name": "Tamarisk",
  "scientific": "Tamarix ramosissima",
  "category": "invasive",
  "status": "Colorado noxious weed · List B — Stop the spread",
  "status_sources": [
    "J-saltcedar---tamarisk"
  ],
  "warning": "Alters riparian vegetation",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [
    "saltcedar",
    "Tamarix chinensis"
  ],
  "taxonomy_note": "The county covers T. chinensis and T. ramosissima together. Photos and broad saltcedar descriptions cannot reliably resolve every hybrid or species. No universal water-saving amount is inferred from removal.",
  "source_ids": [
    "J-saltcedar---tamarisk",
    "Fremont-list-definitions"
  ],
  "description": "Tamarisk: Alters riparian vegetation. Colorado identification, habitat and exposure evidence.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "J-saltcedar---tamarisk"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "tamarisk-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "J-saltcedar---tamarisk"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-group ecology; editorial management advice",
      "note": "",
      "id": "tamarisk-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Human chemical-toxicity effects were not established in this review.",
      "id": "tamarisk-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources.",
      "id": "tamarisk-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "This review does not establish unrestricted livestock feeding safety.",
      "id": "tamarisk-5"
    },
    {
      "id": "tamarisk-list-meaning",
      "label": "State-list meaning",
      "sources": [
        "Fremont-list-definitions"
      ],
      "scope": "Colorado management-category definition; species classification retains its original status sources",
      "note": "Plain-language editorial label for a management category; not a toxicity or danger rating.",
      "reviewed": "2026-09-07"
    }
  ],
  "noxious_class": "B",
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "People",
        "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "tamarisk-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "tamarisk-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Other animals",
        "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "tamarisk-5"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "noxious_class_label": "B — Stop the spread",
  "source": "content/plants/tamarisk.md"
}
---

# Tamarisk

*Tamarix ramosissima*

**Colorado noxious weed · List B — Stop the spread.** [J-saltcedar---tamarisk](https://www.jeffco.us/2216/Saltcedar---Tamarisk)

Established in some areas. Requirements vary by location: eradication, containment or suppression to stop further spread. This is a management category, separate from danger ratings. [Category source](https://fremontcountyco.gov/weed-control/weed-identification) · [What the lists mean](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/#weed-lists).

> **Alters riparian vegetation.** Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** The county covers T. chinensis and T. ramosissima together. Photos and broad saltcedar descriptions cannot reliably resolve every hybrid or species. No universal water-saving amount is inferred from removal.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.

![Tamarix ramosissima: Slender pink flower racemes on fine twiggy branches.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/invasive-tamarix-ramosissima-flower.jpg)

**flower** — Slender pink flower racemes on fine twiggy branches.

Photo: Jerzy Opioła; [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tamarix_ramosissima_a1.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Tamarix_ramosissima_a1.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.  Saltcedars are difficult to separate by general photographs and hybridize, especially T. ramosissima with T. chinensis in North America. These photos are source-identified T. ramosissima references; species purity is not verified from photographs. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Tamarix ramosissima: Slender branching pink racemes spread across thin woody twigs; fine green branchlets are visible behind.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/invasive-tamarix-ramosissima-flowering-branches.jpg)

**flowering-branches** — Slender branching pink racemes spread across thin woody twigs; fine green branchlets are visible behind.

Photo: Jerzy Opioła; [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tamarix_ramosissima_a3.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Tamarix_ramosissima_a3.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.  Saltcedars are difficult to separate by general photographs and hybridize, especially T. ramosissima with T. chinensis in North America. These photos are source-identified T. ramosissima references; species purity is not verified from photographs. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Tamarix ramosissima: Woody shrub or small tree with a branching crown covered in pink flower clusters.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/invasive-tamarix-ramosissima-habit.jpg)

**habit** — Woody shrub or small tree with a branching crown covered in pink flower clusters.

Photo: Dr. Alexey Yakovlev; [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tamarix_ramosissima_(Tamaricaceae)_(53139152639).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Tamarix_ramosissima_%28Tamaricaceae%29_%2853139152639%29.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.  Saltcedars are difficult to separate by general photographs and hybridize, especially T. ramosissima with T. chinensis in North America. These photos are source-identified T. ramosissima references; species purity is not verified from photographs. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Recognize

A deciduous shrub or small tree with fine, scale-like leaves and narrow clusters of tiny pink to white flowers. [J-saltcedar---tamarisk](https://www.jeffco.us/2216/Saltcedar---Tamarisk)

## Plants & habitat

Introduced riparian plants that accumulate salt in foliage and can regrow from cut stems or roots. Restoration needs site-specific planning and follow-up. [J-saltcedar---tamarisk](https://www.jeffco.us/2216/Saltcedar---Tamarisk)

*Evidence scope: Species-group ecology; editorial management advice.*

## People

Human chemical-toxicity effects were not established in this review. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Dogs & cats

Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Other animals

This review does not establish unrestricted livestock feeding safety. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Before taking action

Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **J-saltcedar---tamarisk** — [Saltcedar - Tamarisk](https://www.jeffco.us/2216/Saltcedar---Tamarisk), Jefferson County, Colorado. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:27:25+00:00. Locator: Description, impacts, Colorado list designation, management.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=tamarisk) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.
- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Taxon and evidence boundaries

The county covers T. chinensis and T. ramosissima together. Photos and broad saltcedar descriptions cannot reliably resolve every hybrid or species. No universal water-saving amount is inferred from removal.

These are publisher notes about the evidence. They do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. The human sections above contain all actionable safety warnings. Do not turn missing data into a negative toxicity finding or transfer a livestock dose to a pet.

| Claim | Human section | Evidence scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tamarisk-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | J-saltcedar---tamarisk | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| tamarisk-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-group ecology; editorial management advice | J-saltcedar---tamarisk | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| tamarisk-3 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | Human chemical-toxicity effects were not established in this review. |
| tamarisk-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. |
| tamarisk-5 | Other animals | Review limitation | Review limitation | This review does not establish unrestricted livestock feeding safety. |

## Additional evidence needed

- Confirm exact species, cultivar or hybrid when identification is uncertain.
- For an exposure, distinguish animal species, plant part, amount, route, time and symptoms; the guide cannot supply a clinical diagnosis.
- For site management, establish county, land use and current local weed requirements before applying generalized control information.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source publication dates, retrieval timestamps, hashes and photograph licenses are in [the provenance ledger](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).

## State-list label provenance

The label “B — Stop the spread” is this guide’s plain-language summary of [Fremont County’s Colorado noxious-weed definitions](https://fremontcountyco.gov/weed-control/weed-identification) [Fremont-list-definitions]. The letter and species assignment retain the status sources above. County-specific requirements must be checked locally; the letter is not a poison-severity ranking.


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/tamarisk/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T03:50:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/tamarisk/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/tamarisk/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json