Tamarix arboreavar.arboreaandTamarix parviflora: Two species valued for their adaptability to stress conditions

Abstract

The choice of stress resistant and highly adaptable species is a fundamental step for landscaping and ornamental purposes in arid and coastal environments such as those in the Mediterranean basin. The genus Tamarix L. includes about 90 species with a high endurance of adversity. We investigated the water relations and photosynthetic response of Tamarix arborea (Sieb. ex Ehrenb.) Bge. var. arborea and T. parviflora DC. growing in an urban environment. Both species showed no evidence of drought or salt stress in summer, and appeared to follow two strategies with T. arborea var. arborea investing in high carbon gain at the beginning of the summer, and then reducing photosynthetic activity at the end of the season, and T. parviflora showing lower but constant levels of photosynthetic activity throughout the vegetative season. For landscaping and ornamental purposes, we suggest T. arborea var. arborea when a fast-growing, high-cover species is necessary, and T. parviflora when less-invasive species are required.

The genus Tamarix (Tamaricaceae) from archaeological to contemporary landscape

“…The halophytic character of Tamarix leaves and the presence of salt glands are also a common feature (Alaimo & al. 2013;Grisafi & al. 2016).…”

Plant functional traits shape growth rate for xerophytic shrubs

“…Plant growth is critical for biomass accumulation, as it reflects the capacity of plants to acquire and utilize resources, while embodying the adaptation strategies they employ to deal with adversity (Villar et al 2005;Iralu & Upadhaya 2018;Kenzo et al 2019). In general, species with low growth rates have strong ability to adapt to adversity, while those with high growth rates are less able to adapt to adverse conditions (Grime & Hunt 1975;Ziegler et al 2015;Grisafi et al 2016;Li et al 2017). Plant growth rates are affected by both genetic background and environmental factors (Shipley et al 2005;Salgado-Luarte & Gianoli 2017;Shi et al 2017a).…”