saltcedar
saltcedar Lexical Profile
• noun
North American An invasive, salt-tolerant shrub or small tree of the genus Tamarix, native to Eurasia and Africa but widely naturalized along waterways in arid regions of western North America, characterized by feathery, scale-like leaves and pink or white flowers.
"Conservation teams spent the weekend removing invasive saltcedar from the riverbanks to help restore the local watershed and native plant life."
Word Nuance & Usage
Despite its name, the saltcedar is not a true coniferous cedar; it is an angiosperm named purely for its superficial resemblance to cedar foliage and its high salt tolerance.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in 19th-century American English as a compound of 'salt' and 'cedar', referencing the plant's halophytic properties and feathery, scale-like leaves.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.