The tiny leaves are alternately arranged along the branches, and exude salt, which can form a crusted layer on the surface, and drop onto the ground beneath.

These particular crystals swell with the small amount of humidity in the atmosphere at night, and the leaves absorb the moisture, helped by an adhesive surface that holds on to the water.

[2] The nectar from the blossoms of Tamarix aphylla produces high-quality honey with a unique taste.

Due to the drought- and salt-tolerant properties of the tree, it could be planted as an agroforestry species, as well as for reclamation of marginal lands.

[8] Within these regions, it has spread, most dramatically and noticeably in central Australia after the floods of 1974 along the Finke River in the Northern Territory.

[10] It is commonly used for windbreaks on the edges of agricultural fields and as a shade tree in the deserts of the Southwestern United States.

[2] Most botanists and Bible scholars believe that the eshel tree planted by Abraham in the Book of Genesis, was Tamarix aphylla,[11] Carl Linnaeus wrote that its name was derived from the Ancient Greek 'a' "without", and 'phyllon' "leaf".