946 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III. 
CHAP. XLVII. 
OF THE HARDY LIGNEOUS PLANTS OF THE ORDER TAMARICA‘CER. 
Tuts order consists of two genera; and the most of its characteristics 
are included in the generic characters which are given below. 
Tamarix Desv. Calyx persistent, parted into 4—5 lobes that are subimbri- 
cately zstivated. Petals 4—3, inserted into the base of the calyx, alternate 
with its lobes, imbricate in zstivation, withering. Stamens 4—5, alternate 
with the petals; the filaments almost wholly distinct from one another. 
Ovary free of the calyx, ovate-pyramidate, triangular, with a long taper 
termination. Stigmas 3, long, divaricate, glandulose at the tip, oblique. 
Capsule with 3 angles, 3 valves, 1 cell, and many seeds. Seeds inserted 
into the very base of the valves, or nearly into the centre of the capsule, 
erect, each bearing at its tip a coma of many simple hairs. There is not 
any albumen. Embryo straight; its radicle small, inferior; its cotyledons 
flat-convex, oblong. Flowers small, in spikes: these, in many instances, 
are disposed in panicles. (Dec. Prod., iii. p. 95.) 
Myrica‘ria Desv. Calyx parted into 5 lobes. Petals 5. Stamens 10; 
every alternate one shorter; the filaments of all connate from the base to 
about the middle of their length. There is not any style. Stigmas con- 
nate into a little head. Seeds inserted along a line in the middle of each 
valve of the capsule, ascending, ending in a plumy thread. Flowers in 
terminal, simplish spikes. (Dec. Prod., iil. p. 97.) 
These genera were originally included under one genus, Tamarix; the 
separation being made on account of the above technical distinctions. “The 
plants of the genus Tamarix,” Royle observes, “are distributed over a wide 
extent of territory in the Old World; from 10° to 50° and 55° of N. lat. in 
Europe and Siberia; and from the Canaries and Senegambia on the west, 
to China on the east. They differ as much in their localities as in their 
latitudes; being found on the shores of the ocean, or the banks of rivers (as 
the Ganges and the Nile), as well in the arid and sandy parts of Northern 
India and the Punjab, as in the cold and elevated climates of Tibet and Siberia : 
but in these the soil is saline. The genus Myricaria, existing in Europe, 
Siberia, and Dahuria, is found also in Kunawur, and in the country crossed 
by Mr. Moorcroft in his journey to Manasarowur.” (J/lustrations, §c., p. 213.) 
There are two species of Tamarix common in India; viz. T. indica and 
T. dioica. ‘ The former, found on the banks of the Ganges, and other rivers, 
as well as on the coast of Coromandel, has been referred, by some authors, to 
T. gallica, with which it is closely allied; and, if identical, the circumstance 
will afford an additional instance of the great extent over which a species may 
spread, when growing in the vicinity of water. J. Furas Hamilt. is the 7. 
orientalis of Forskahl, and is common in the drier parts of the Doab, and at 
Delhi; and also in Arabia and Egypt. Myricaria, the other genus of this 
order, includes T4marix germanica, which extends from Europe to the Cau- 
casus: other species, or perhaps varieties, are found in Siberia and Dahuria, 
and twoin the Himalayas.” (Jbid.) Tamarix gallica and Myricaria germanica, 
are almost the only plants of this order found in British gardens. The former 
is interesting, from its ascending spreading stems, numerous slender branches, 
abundant minute foliage, and its plentiful panicles of racemes, of pale rosy 
flowers; M. germanica is interesting from its close upright habit of growth, 
glaucous hue, and evergreen foliage. 
The Properties of the Tamaricacee are considered to be bitterness and 
astringency ; and hence “ the occasional employment of the European species 
as a tonic, and as a substitute for hops, in making beer, in Denmark. In India, 
also, the twigs of 7’. indica and 7’. dioica are considered astringent; but the 
plants are more valued on account of the galls that are found on them, and 
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