Tamarix aphylla, Tamarix articulate, Athel tree, Athel tamarisk,
אשל הפרקים
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Eternal God.
Genesis 21:33
Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.
1 Samuel 31:13
 
Scientific name:  Tamarix aphylla
Synonym name:  Tamarix articulate
Common name:  Athel tree, Athel tamarisk
Hebrew name:  אשל הפרקים
Family:  Tamaricaceae, אשליים

Tamarix aphylla, Tamarix articulate, Athel tree, Athel tamarisk, אשל הפרקים
Location: Herzliya Pituach, Keren Hayesod street; Date Picture Taken: June 6, 2009

 
Life form:  Tree
Leaves:  Alternate, scale
Flowers:  Pink, white
Flowering Period:  July, August, September, October, November
Habitat:  Desert, Thermophilous plants
Distribution:  Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Semi-steppe shrublands, Shrub-steppes, Deserts and extreme deserts
Chorotype, טיפוס התפוצה:   Sudanian
Summer shedding:  Perenating
Protected Flower, צמח מוגן:  Yes

Tamarix aphylla, Tamarix articulate, Athel tree, Athel tamarisk,אשל הפרקים
Location: Herzliya Pituach, Keren Hayesod street; Date Picture Taken: June 6, 2009

H.B.Tristram (11 May 1822 - 8 March 1906) , The Natural History of the Bible: "Abraham planted a grove (eshel) in Beersheba" (Gen.XXI.33): "Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree (eshel) at Jabesh" (I Sam. XXXI.13); but, in 1 Chron. X.12, it is called 'elah,' an oak. Critics are agreed that 'eshel' signifies some particular tree, and the best authorities identify it with the Arabic asal, the Tamarisk tree.
No less than seven species of Tamarisk are found in Palestine, and several of them in great abundance."

Tamarix aphylla is the largest Tamarix.

Tamarix aphylla, Tamarix articulate, Athel tree, Athel tamarisk,אשל הפרקים
Location: Herzliya Pituach, Keren Hayesod street; Date Picture Taken: June 6, 2009