While the lavendar color of the Tamarisk plant is nice to see, the plant is actually an invasive species. The Tamarisk Beatle was released in 2005 to combat the spread of the plant and has been quite successful in doing so.
What is tamarisk?
Tamarisk is an invasive shrub or small tree that is found across the American West. Also known as saltcedar, tamarisk favors sites that are inhospitable to native streamside plants because of high salinity, low water availability, and altered streamflow regimes created by dams. Researchers debate the extent of tamarisk’s negative impacts, but this invasive species can and does alter habitat quality for some wildlife, water use by floodplain vegetation, and the frequency and intensity of wildfires.
One successful tamarisk control method is the introduction of a leaf-eating beetle from the tamarisk’s native range in Asia. Where tamarisks are declining, USGS scientists are studying how ecosystems respond to the removal of this invasive species.
Learn more: Southwestern Riparian Zones, Tamarisk Plants, and the Tamarisk Beetle
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While the lavendar color of the Tamarisk plant is nice to see, the plant is actually an invasive species. The Tamarisk Beatle was released in 2005 to combat the spread of the plant and has been quite successful in doing so.

Tamarisk can re-grow new leaves after being defoliated by the biocontrol agent tamarisk leaf beetle (Diorhabda spp.).
Tamarisk can re-grow new leaves after being defoliated by the biocontrol agent tamarisk leaf beetle (Diorhabda spp.).
Nonnative tamarisk is resistant to wildfire, in part due to its abilty to resprout from the its roots.
Nonnative tamarisk is resistant to wildfire, in part due to its abilty to resprout from the its roots.
This image is of invasive tamarisk (salt cedar) growing on the banks of the Colorado River.
This image is of invasive tamarisk (salt cedar) growing on the banks of the Colorado River.

New Crossroads in Science, Policy, and Management
by Julio Betancourt, Sr. Scientist and Desert Ecologist
New Crossroads in Science, Policy, and Management
by Julio Betancourt, Sr. Scientist and Desert Ecologist
Tamarisk plants have been sucessful in southwestern US river- and stream-side habitats, in part because of its ablity to make many flowers and, therefore, seeds.
Tamarisk plants have been sucessful in southwestern US river- and stream-side habitats, in part because of its ablity to make many flowers and, therefore, seeds.
Single species stand of nonnative tamarisk on the Lower Colorado River at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, California
Single species stand of nonnative tamarisk on the Lower Colorado River at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, California
Nonnative tamarisk is resistant to wildfire, in part due to its ability to resprout
Nonnative tamarisk is resistant to wildfire, in part due to its ability to resprout
United States Register of Introduced and Invasive Species
U.S. Geological Survey invasive species research—Improving detection, awareness, decision support, and control
The transformation of dryland rivers: The future of introduced tamarisk in the U.S.
Invasive species research—Science for detection, containment, and control
Population dynamics of the northern tamarisk beetle (Diorhabda carinulata) in the Colorado River Basin
Applying remote sensing to invasive species science—A tamarisk example
Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) and Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) in the Western United States-A Report on the State of the Science
Saltcedar and Russian Olive Control Demonstration Act Science Assessment
Tamarisk control, water salvage, and wildlife habitat restoration along rivers in the western United States
Weather and evapotranspiration studies in a saltcedar thicket, Arizona
Introduction, spread, and areal extent of saltcedar (Tamarix) in the Western States
Related
What is an invasive species and why are they a problem?
How can I find the scientific names of plants and animals?
Why do animals and plants become endangered?
What is buffelgrass?
How do Chinese tallow's characteristics make it such an aggressive invader?
How far has Chinese tallow spread in the United States?
While the lavendar color of the Tamarisk plant is nice to see, the plant is actually an invasive species. The Tamarisk Beatle was released in 2005 to combat the spread of the plant and has been quite successful in doing so.
While the lavendar color of the Tamarisk plant is nice to see, the plant is actually an invasive species. The Tamarisk Beatle was released in 2005 to combat the spread of the plant and has been quite successful in doing so.

Tamarisk can re-grow new leaves after being defoliated by the biocontrol agent tamarisk leaf beetle (Diorhabda spp.).
Tamarisk can re-grow new leaves after being defoliated by the biocontrol agent tamarisk leaf beetle (Diorhabda spp.).
Nonnative tamarisk is resistant to wildfire, in part due to its abilty to resprout from the its roots.
Nonnative tamarisk is resistant to wildfire, in part due to its abilty to resprout from the its roots.
This image is of invasive tamarisk (salt cedar) growing on the banks of the Colorado River.
This image is of invasive tamarisk (salt cedar) growing on the banks of the Colorado River.

New Crossroads in Science, Policy, and Management
by Julio Betancourt, Sr. Scientist and Desert Ecologist
New Crossroads in Science, Policy, and Management
by Julio Betancourt, Sr. Scientist and Desert Ecologist
Tamarisk plants have been sucessful in southwestern US river- and stream-side habitats, in part because of its ablity to make many flowers and, therefore, seeds.
Tamarisk plants have been sucessful in southwestern US river- and stream-side habitats, in part because of its ablity to make many flowers and, therefore, seeds.
Single species stand of nonnative tamarisk on the Lower Colorado River at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, California
Single species stand of nonnative tamarisk on the Lower Colorado River at Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, California
Nonnative tamarisk is resistant to wildfire, in part due to its ability to resprout
Nonnative tamarisk is resistant to wildfire, in part due to its ability to resprout