New Tamarix Species (Tamaricaceae) from Kerman City and Their Perspective Medicinal Uses

Background The genus Tamarix (Tamaricaceae) is one of the most important medicinal plants with about 70–104 global species of which about 35 species are reported in Iran. The main approach in this investigation is to identify different Tamarix species in Kerman city and their perspective medicinal uses. Results In order to identify different Tamarix species, field botany, morphology, taxonomy, scanning electron microscope images (SEM) and biochemical data on the leaves and flowers from the genus Tamarix were integrated. The results highlight six new species; T. kotschyi , T.androssowii , T. szowitsiana , T. tetragyna , T. karakalensis , where T.ramosissima . T.androssowii and T.szowitsiana species show similar phylogenetic association. However, T. tetragyna and T.karakalensis appear in a different clade. SEM images display minor evidences of salt glands and crystals of NaCl and CaSO ₄ , 2H ₂ O in the leaves. These features indicate ion migration (Na ⁺ , Cl ⁻ , K ⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , and SO ₄   ^− 2 ) from ground-waters, surface waters, soils and sediments, followed by excretion of the salts into the leaves as salt glands and salt crystals. These signatures correlate with the high concentrations of Na, K, and S in the leaves and substrate soil. Concentrations of microelements, in particular toxic elements are close to safeguard background level similar to the published global data reported for the similar Tamarix species. Conclusions All over, the regional botanical survey in Kerman city introduced six new Tamarix species that contain minor salt glands. The concentrations of heavy metals in the Tamarix leaves are close to the safeguard background level, thereby do not pose any detrimental toxicity to the Tamarisk species. In this regard, the phytochemical extracts of the Tamarix species may have beneficial applications in different medical treatments.