Salt Cedar (Tamarix aphylla) is a pretty sight in the desert. It gives green to otherwise drab brown scenery. But like many other pretty things, it is not what it seems! Salt cedar is a non-native invasive species that has disrupted the structure and stability of native species due to its ability to out-compete. It consumes more water than native plants and draws salt up to the surface making the ground around inhospitable to other plants.
It was imported as an ornamental plant for landscapes, but has "gotten away" and occurs all over the southwest. We have seen it as far east as Texas and Pioneer Woman was writing on her blog about destroying it on their ranch in Oklahoma.
But it is pretty! Especially in the spring with its delicate pink blossoms....
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