Saltcedar is a shrub or tree-like plant that invades riparian habitats, displacing native plants and using huge quantities of water.

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​Saltcedar branches have reddish-brown bark, small flat leaves that resemble evergreens, and pink or white five-petaled flowers. The seeds are tiny and similar in size and color to pepper, and each seed has a pappus which allows it to float long distances in water or move in the wind.