Details Top

Internal ID UUID643fff1a2c15d779513628
Scientific name Tamarix chinensis
Authority Lour.
First published in Fl. Cochinch. : 182 (1790)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Across northern China, Tamarix chinensis is used in decoctions of aerial parts (young twigs and leaves) as a diuretic and for edema; Tang and Eisenbrand’s 1992 pharmacognosy of Chinese medicinal plants records this preparation. In North Africa, several Tamarix species, including T. chinensis, are known in folk practice as antipyretics and diuretics, taken as infusions or decoctions of the aerial parts (Salhi et al., 2000, “Médecine traditionelle en Tunisie”). In southern Africa, specific communities use T. chinensis as a diuretic and to treat diarrhea, prepared as an infusion or decoction of the aerial parts (Naidoo et al., 2001, “Ethnobotany and pharmacology of Tamarix species”). These reports consistently emphasize twig-leaf infusions or decoctions and do not mention seed, flower, or underground parts.

One practical preparation is a mild diuretic tea: combine roughly 2–3 g of dried young twigs with leaves (a small handful) and simmer in 250 ml water for 5–7 minutes; cool, strain, and drink 1 cup in the morning and another in the early evening. Do not use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and avoid using if you have known salicylate sensitivity (related species contain salicylates).

Well-established constituents reported in T. chinensis include tannins, flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol glycosides), and trace quantities of salicylates, which collectively support the astringent, diuretic, and mild antipyretic uses reported in traditional practice.

Current research explores T. chinensis extracts for diuretic and anti-inflammatory activities; the species remains locally available as a traditional remedy and is present in certain herbal commerce channels in China and North Africa.

General Uses Top

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Erosion control, windbreaks, and habitat in saline–alkaline landscapes: Tamarix chinensis is widely planted in China and elsewhere for dune stabilization, coastal protection, and soil improvement on saline–alkali land. Its deep, fibrous root system binds shifting sand, while salt excretion on leaves and stems enables establishment on sodic sites. In riparian corridors and coastal dunes, it forms dense thickets that reduce wind speed and trap sediments, providing shelter and nesting habitat for wildlife. It is commonly used in saline land rehabilitation, greenbelts around cities, and as a windbreak tree along roads and fields.

Properties relevant to use:
- High salt tolerance and foliar salt excretion, enabling establishment and stabilization on saline–sodic soils.
- Deep, drought‑resistant rooting that improves soil structure and reduces erosion on dunes and slopes.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Tamarix pentandra Pall. Fl. Ross. 1(2): 72 (1789)
Tamarix juniperina Bunge Mém. Acad. Imp. Sci. St.-Pétersbourg Divers Savans 2: 102 (1835)
Tamarix gallica var. chinensis (Lour.) Ehrenb. Linnaea 2: 267 (1827)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
English five-stamen tamarisk
Persian گز چینی
Hebrew אשל סיני
Upper Sorbian chinska tamariska
Japanese ギョリュウ
Korean 위성류
nv gad niʼeełii bílátah łichíʼígíí
Swedish kinesisk tamarisk
Chinese 观音柳
Chinese 檉柳
Chinese 垂絲柳
Chinese 西河柳
Chinese 西湖杨
Chinese 红荆条
Chinese 红筋条
Chinese 三春柳
Chinese 華北檉柳
Chinese 柽柳实
Chinese 柽柳
Chinese 怪柳
Chinese 山川柳

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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No subspecies added yet.

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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No variety added yet.

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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fluctuating 15°C night, 20°C day, may germinate in 24 hrs

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Asia-temperate
    • China
      • China North-central
      • China South-central
      • China Southeast
      • Inner Mongolia
      • Manchuria
    • Eastern Asia
      • Japan
      • Korea
    • Western Asia
      • Palestine
  • Northern America
    • Mexico
      • Mexico Northwest
    • North-central U.S.A.
      • Oklahoma
    • Northwestern U.S.A.
      • Colorado
      • Idaho
      • Montana
      • Wyoming
    • South-central U.S.A.
      • New Mexico
      • Texas
    • Southwestern U.S.A.
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Nevada
      • Utah
  • Southern America
    • Southern South America
      • Argentina Northeast
      • Argentina South

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000458631
UNII IV6H1I9Z1S
Canadensys 9713
USDA Plants TACH2
Tropicos 31100005
INPN 125418
Flora of Italy 11804
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:828082-1
The Plant List kew-2520083
PFAF Tamarix chinensis
Open Tree Of Life 142310
Observations.org 122757
NCBI Taxonomy 189791
NBN Atlas NBNSYS0200003281
Nature Serve 2.139893
IPNI 828082-1
iNaturalist 56013
GBIF 2874696
Freebase /m/0dgnn6v
EPPO TAACH
EOL 585677
Elurikkus 322998
Calflora (Californian flora) 7914
USDA GRIN 36224
Wikipedia Tamarix_chinensis
CMAUP NPO22044

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
Accession Assembly
Name Level Submitter Released Coverage Size
GCA_030549775.1 ASM3054977v1 Chromosome Shandong Agricultural University 2023-07-31 95 1.23 Gb

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Patterns and driving factors of functional traits of desert species with different elevational distributions in the Tibetan Plateau and adjacent areas Hu Y, Li X, Wang S, Lv P, Yue P, Chen M, Zuo X BMC Plant Biol 09-May-2024
PMCID:PMC11080261
doi:10.1186/s12870-024-05080-x
PMID:38724940
Monitoring and evaluation of vegetation restoration in the Ebinur Lake Wetland National Nature Reserve under lockdown protection Xia N, Tang Y, Tang M, Quan W, Xu Z, Zhang B, Xiao Y, Ma Y Front Plant Sci 18-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11063322
doi:10.3389/fpls.2024.1332788
PMID:38699539
Response of Phyllosphere and Rhizosphere Microbial Communities to Salt Stress of Tamarix chinensis Qu X, Pan Y, Wang P, Ran L, Qin G, Li Q, Kang P Plants (Basel) 13-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11054833
doi:10.3390/plants13081091
PMID:38674498
Inhibition of co-occurring weeds and young sugarcane seedling growth by perennial sugarcane root extract Wang X, Wang S, Zhu J, Li L, Ma J, Zuo L, Sun X, Chen B, Yang Z Sci Rep 01-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC10984977
doi:10.1038/s41598-024-58082-y
PMID:38561368
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Myricaria wardii Marquand 1929 (Tamaricaceae): a shrub species endemic to the Tibet Plateau Liu H, Wagutu GK, Chen Y, Li X, Fan X Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 20-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10962288
doi:10.1080/23802359.2024.2329666
PMID:38529113
Apple crown and collar canker and necrosis caused by Cytospora balanejica sp. nov. in Iran Azizi R, Ghosta Y, Ahmadpour A Sci Rep 19-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10951349
doi:10.1038/s41598-024-57235-3
PMID:38504125
Mechanism of salt tolerance in the endangered semi-mangrove plant Barringtonia racemosa: anatomical structure and photosynthetic and fluorescence characteristics Hu J, Deng X, Bai C, Li L, Yang X, Lan C, Zhong H, Tan X, Liang F 3 Biotech 08-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10923768
doi:10.1007/s13205-024-03943-6
PMID:38464614
Influence of surface water and groundwater on functional traits and trade-off strategies of oasis communities at the end of the Keriya River, China Shi H, Shi Q, Zhou X, Cui C, Li X, Zhang Z, Zhu C Front Plant Sci 15-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10905963
doi:10.3389/fpls.2024.1340137
PMID:38434438
Effects of meteorological factors and groundwater depths on sap flow density of Populus euphratica in a desert oasis, Taklamakan Desert, China Wan Y, Peng L, Anwaier A, Shi H, Li D, Ma Y, Shi Q Front Plant Sci 09-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10884297
doi:10.3389/fpls.2024.1330426
PMID:38405581
A tree species classification model based on improved YOLOv7 for shelterbelts Liu Y, Zhao Q, Wang X, Sheng Y, Tian W, Ren Y Front Plant Sci 18-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10832270
doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1265025
PMID:38304457
Insights into the phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries of the Myricaria squamosa complex (Tamaricaceae) based on the complete chloroplast genome Hu H, Wang Q, Hao G, Zhou R, Luo D, Cao K, Yan Z, Wang X PeerJ 11-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10720482
doi:10.7717/peerj.16642
PMID:38099308
Draft genome sequencing of halotolerant bacterium Salinicola sp. DM10 unravels plant growth-promoting potentials Nguyen NL, Van Dung V, Van Tung N, Nguyen TK, Quan ND, Giang TT, Ngan NT, Hien NT, Nguyen HH 3 Biotech 24-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10667196
doi:10.1007/s13205-023-03833-3
PMID:38009164
Streptomyces tamarix sp. nov.: antagonism against Alternaria gaisen producing streptochlorin, isolated from Tamarix root soil Chen YH, Wu YZ, Liu Q, Xia Z, Wang J, Luo XX Front Microbiol 21-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10702757
doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1273842
PMID:38075910
Effects of Ecological Restoration and Climate Change on Herbaceous and Arboreal Phenology Yuan Z, Cheng Y, Mi L, Xie J, Xi J, Mao Y, Xu S, Wang Z, Wang S Plants (Basel) 20-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10675290
doi:10.3390/plants12223913
PMID:38005811
Effects of Vegetation Types and Soil Properties on Regional Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Salinized Reservoir Wetland, Northeast China Wang Y, Bao H, Kavana DJ, Li Y, Li X, Yan L, Xu W, Yu B Plants (Basel) 03-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10649285
doi:10.3390/plants12213767
PMID:37960123

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Alkaloids and derivatives / 6,6a-secoaporphines
2-(14-methoxy-3,5,16-trioxapentacyclo[9.6.2.02,6.08,18.015,19]nonadeca-1(18),2(6),7,9,11(19),12,14-heptaen-12-yl)-N,N-dimethylethanamine 15726909 Click to see 351.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Thalicthuberine 11245138 Click to see CN(C)CCC1=CC(=C(C2=C1C=CC3=CC4=C(C=C32)OCO4)OC)OC 353.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Thaliglucinone 182266 Click to see CN(C)CCC1=CC(=C2C3=C1C=CC4=CC5=C(C(=C43)C(=O)O2)OCO5)OC 365.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Aporphines
(18S)-12-methoxy-17,17-dimethyl-4,6,10-trioxa-17-azoniahexacyclo[16.3.1.03,7.08,21.011,20.014,19]docosa-1,3(7),8(21),11,13,19-hexaene 5321916 Click to see C[N+]1(CCC2=CC(=C3C4=C2C1CC5=CC6=C(C(=C54)CO3)OCO6)OC)C 352.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(6aR)-2,10-dimethoxy-6,6-dimethyl-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinolin-6-ium-1,11-diol 929259 Click to see 342.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Pavine alkaloids
(-)-Argemonine 442168 Click to see 355.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Protopine alkaloids
4-Hydroxy-3,10,11-trimethoxy-6-methyl-5,7,8,14-tetrahydrobenzo[e][2]benzazecin-13-one 323258 Click to see 371.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Gallic acids
Gallic Acid 370 Click to see 170.12 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94507-2
> Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols
Tamarixinol 171649 Click to see 446.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds
(-)-Thalrugosinone 156018 Click to see CN1CCC2=C3C(=C(C=C2C1CC4=CC=C(C=C4)OC5=C(C=CC(=C5)CC6C7=C(O3)C(=C(C=C7CCN6C=O)OC)OC)OC)OC)OC 666.80 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,14S)-9,20,21,25-tetramethoxy-15,30-dimethyl-7,23-dioxa-15,30-diazaheptacyclo[22.6.2.23,6.18,12.114,18.027,31.022,33]hexatriaconta-3(36),4,6(35),8,10,12(34),18(33),19,21,24,26,31-dodecaen-19-ol 10627884 Click to see 638.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(4aR,16aS)-3,4,4a,5,16a,17,18,19-Octahydro-9,21,26-trimethoxy-4,17-dimethyl-2H-1,24:12,15-dietheno-6,10-metheno-16H-pyrido(2',3':17,18)(1,10)dioxacycloeicosino(2,3,4-ij)isoquinolin-22-ol 99620 Click to see 608.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(4aS,16aR)-3,4,4a,5,16a,17,18,19-Octahydro-21,26-dimethoxy-4,17-dimethyl-16H-1,24:6,9-dietheno-11,15-metheno-2H-pyrido(2',3':17,18)(1,11)dioxacycloeicosino(2,3,4-ij)isoquinoline-12,22-diol 441064 Click to see 594.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(R,S)-homoaromaline hydrochloride 9851833 Click to see 608.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Aromoline 362574 Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C(C3=C2C1CC4=CC=C(C=C4)OC5=C(C=CC(=C5)CC6C7=CC(=C(C=C7CCN6C)OC)O3)O)O)OC 594.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Talysopine 179390 Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C3C=C2C1CC4=CC(=C(C=C4)OC)OC5=CC=C(CC6C7=C(CCN6C)C(=C(C(=C7O3)OC)OC)O)C=C5)OC 638.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Thalidasine 159795 Click to see 652.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Thaligosidine 44584029 Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C(C3=C2C1CC4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC5=CC=C(CC6C7=CC(=C(C(=C7CCN6C)O3)OC)OC)C=C5)O)OC 624.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Thalrugosidine 5321920 Click to see 638.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Thalrugosine, (+)- 100257 Click to see 608.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans / Tetrahydrofuran lignans / 9,9-epoxylignans / Dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans
(-)-Matairesinol 119205 Click to see 358.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(+)-Matairesinol 11451194 Click to see 358.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
Palmitic Acid 985 Click to see 256.42 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Germacranolides and derivatives
(3aR,6E,8S,10E,11aS)-8-hydroxy-6,10-dimethyl-3-methylidene-3a,4,5,8,9,11a-hexahydrocyclodeca[b]furan-2-one 46173780 Click to see 248.32 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclic alcohols and derivatives
Tamarixol 195318 Click to see 442.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides
(2S,3S,4R,5R,6S)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-[2-(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol 6931410 Click to see 286.28 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Cyclic ketones
Tamarixone 195317 Click to see CC1C(C(=C)CC2(C1C3CCC4C(C3CC2)(CCC5C4(CCC(=O)C5(C)C)C)C)CO)C 440.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives / Benzylisoquinolines
(1S)-1-[[4-[5-[[(1S)-6,7-dimethoxy-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-1-yl]methyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]phenyl]methyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-5-ol 102402634 Click to see 654.80 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S)-1-[[4-[5-[[(1S)-7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-1-yl]methyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]phenyl]methyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-2-methyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-5-ol 44584030 Click to see 640.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Rugosinone 442350 Click to see 353.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Thalirugidine 44584027 Click to see CN1CCC2=C(C(=C(C=C2C1CC3=CC=C(C=C3)OC4=C(C=CC(=C4)CC5C6=CC(=C(C(=C6CCN5C)O)OC)OC)OC)OC)OC)O 670.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives / Isoquinolones and derivatives
[1,3]Dioxolo[4,5-g]isoquinolin-5(6H)-one 12997610 Click to see 189.17 unknown via CMAUP database
Noroxyhydrastinine 89047 Click to see 191.18 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Tetrahydroisoquinolines
Corypalline 280225 Click to see 193.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids
Ferulic Acid 445858 Click to see 194.18 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones
Quercetin-7-olate 46906036 Click to see 301.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Isorhamnetin 5281654 Click to see 316.26 unknown via CMAUP database
Kaempferide 5281666 Click to see 300.26 unknown via CMAUP database
Kaempferol 5280863 Click to see 286.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Kaempferol-7,4'-dimethyl ether 5378823 Click to see 314.29 unknown via CMAUP database
Quercetin 5280343 Click to see 302.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
3-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5-[(3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)chromen-4-one 5318640 Click to see 610.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids
3,5-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-7-olate 25202413 Click to see 315.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 4-O-methylated flavonoids
Kaempferide(1-) 25201489 Click to see 299.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins
(-)-Thalrugosaminine 5321919 Click to see 652.80 unknown via CMAUP database
Thaligosinine 44584028 Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C3C=C2C1CC4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC5=CC=C(CC6C7=C(CCN6C)C(=C(C(=C7O3)OC)OC)OC)C=C5)OC 638.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Thalsimine 362568 Click to see CN1CCC2=C3C1CC4=CC(=C(C=C4)OC)OC5=CC=C(CC6=NCCC7=CC(=C(C=C76)OC3=C(C(=C2OC)OC)OC)OC)C=C5 636.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins
Ellagic Acid 5281855 Click to see 302.19 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)94507-2

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