tamaricaceæ

pl. [Lat. tamariz, gen it. tamaric(is); fem. pl. adj. suff. -aceœ.] Bot.: Tamarisks; an order of Hypogynous Exogens, alliance Violales. Shrubs or herbs with rodlike branches. Leaves alternate, scale-like, entire, usually pitted; flowers in close spikes or racemes; calyx four or five-parted, persistent, imbricated in vernation; petals inserted into the base of the calyx, imbricated in æstivation; stamens equal in number to the petals, or twice as many, distinct or monadelphous; styles three, ovary superior. Fruit capsular, three-valved, one-celled, many seeds en three placentas. Found in the Northern Hemisphere of the Old World. Known genera three, species forty-three. ( Lindley.)