Plant, Algae, and Environment

Plant, Algae, and Environment

Regional Records of Tamarix Species (Tamariacaceae) from Kerman City (Kerman, Iran)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hossein Aftabi 1
Habibeh Atapour 2
1 Department of Biology, Faculty of sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
2 Department of Mining Engineering, , Faculty of Engineering,Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran
10.48308/pae.2026.244960.1145
Abstract
The genus Tamarix (Tamaricaceae) is one of the important genera of medicinal plants, comprising approximately 70–104 species worldwide, of which about 35 species have been reported in Iran. In the present study, field botany, morphology, taxonomy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and biochemical analyses of the leaves and flowers of Tamarix species in Kerman City were conducted. Six species, including T. kotschyi, T. androssowii, T. szowitsiana, T. tetragyna, T. karakalensis, and T. ramosissima, were recorded. T. androssowii and T. szowitsiana showed a similar phylogenetic relationship, whereas T. tetragyna and T. karakalensis appeared in a distinct clade. SEM images provided evidence of salt glands and crystals of NaCl and CaSO₄·2H₂O in the leaves. These features indicate the migration of ions, including Na⁺, Cl⁻, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and SO₄²⁻, from groundwater, surface water, soils, and sediments, followed by salt excretion through salt glands and the formation of salt crystals in the leaves. These findings were consistent with the high concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, and SO₄²⁻ detected in the leaves and substrate soils. Concentrations of trace elements, particularly potentially toxic elements, were close to background levels and were comparable to published global data for Tamarix species, indicating no evidence of excessive accumulation of these elements in the studied plants. Furthermore, phytochemical extracts of Tamarix species may have beneficial applications in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, bacterial and fungal diseases, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, liver fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and urinary stones.

Keywords
Tamarix species
Salt-tolerant
Salt crystals
Medicinal uses
Iran
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Plant, Algae, and Environment
Volume 10, Issue 3
DOi
2026
Pages 1-18