View source for Biology:Tamarix dioica

{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Tamarix dioica Bra6.png
| genus = Tamarix
| species = dioica
| authority = Roxb. ex Roth
| synonyms = ''Tamarix gallica'' Wight.
}}

'''''Tamarix dioica''''' is a twiggy shrub or small tree that grows in saline habitats in western Asia. Common names include '''ghaz''' and '''khagal''' in Pakistan,<ref name=Samejoa>{{cite journal |author1=Samejoa, Muhammad Qasim |author2=Sumbula, Adeela |author3=Shaha, Shahnila |author4=Memona, Sara Bano |author5=Chundrigara, Shahjabeen |year=2013 |title=Phytochemical screening of ''Tamarix dioica'' Roxb. ex Roch |journal=Journal of Pharmacy Research |volume=7 |issue=2 |pages=181–183 |doi=10.1016/j.jopr.2013.02.017 |doi-access= }}</ref> '''lal jhau''', '''urusia''', '''ban jhau''', '''nona-gach''', '''urichiya''' in Bangladesh and '''nona jhau''' in the Sunderbans.<ref name=Bangladesh/>

==Description==
''Tamarix dioica'' is a shrub or small tree with reddish bark which grows to a maximum height of {{convert|6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. The leaves are greyish-green, tiny and scale-like, overlapping each other along the stem. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The inflorescences are [[Biology:Raceme|raceme]]s up to {{convert|8|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long with pink or purple flowers<ref name=Bangladesh>{{cite web |url=http://www.mpbd.info/plants/tamarix-dioica.php |title=''Tamarix dioica'' |date= |work=Medicinal plants of Bangladesh |accessdate=21 February 2016}}</ref><ref name=Pakistan/>

==Distribution and habitat==
''Tamarix dioica'' is native to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Burma.<ref name=Pakistan>{{cite web |url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=5&taxon_id=242425860 |title=''Tamarix dioica'' |work=Flora of Pakistan |publisher=efloras.org |accessdate=21 February 2016}}</ref> It is one of the dominant plants of dwarf semi-shrub desert vegetation in flood plains and dry riverbeds where it occurs in association with ''[[Biology:Salvadora persica|Salvadora persica]]'' and ''[[Biology:Vachellia nilotica subsp. indica|Vachellia nilotica subsp. indica]]''.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Perry, R.A.|author2=Goodall, D.W.|title=Arid Land Ecosystems: Volume 1: Structure, Functioning and Management|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R-48AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA256 |year=1979 |publisher=CUP Archive |isbn=978-0-521-21842-9 |page=256}}</ref>

==Uses==
''Tamarix dioica'' is used in traditional medicine as a [[Chemistry:Diuretic|diuretic]] and a [[Chemistry:Carminative|carminative]],<ref name=Samejoa/> as an astringent,<ref name=Bangladesh/> and for the treatment of inflammation of the liver and spleen. An extract of the leaves has been shown to have [[Chemistry:Antifungal|antifungal]] activity. Phytochemical screening reveals the presence of several unusual phytochemicals and further investigation needs to be undertaken to determine whether any of these are a potential source of useful drugs.<ref name=Samejoa/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q18112487}}

[[Category:Tamarix|dioica]]
[[Category:Dioecious plants]]

{{Sourceattribution|Tamarix dioica}}