title: Tamarix arborea var. arborea and Tamarix 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.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali Università di Palermo , Viale delle Scienze 11, I-90128 Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grisafi
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo , Via Archirafi 38, I-90123 Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oddo
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali Università di Palermo , Viale delle Scienze 11, I-90128 Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Letizia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Gargano
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università di Palermo , Via Archirafi 38, I-90123 Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inzerillo
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali Università di Palermo , Viale delle Scienze 11, I-90128 Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali Università di Palermo , Viale delle Scienze 11, I-90128 Palermo , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Venturella
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000378:metabolism; D010788:Photosynthesis; D018526:Plant Transpiration; D013045:Species Specificity; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D032363:Tamaricaceae / Q000502:physiology*; D014867:Water / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D002734:Chlorophyll
keywords: Tamarisks; drought stress; photosynthesis; water potential