Athel tamarask (Tamarix aphylla) grows in abundance throughout the Furnace Creek area. Although it is an exotic species (introduced to Death Valley probably in the early 1900s), it provides dense shade and serves as a windbreak in the developed areas in the Furnace Creek area. This salt tolerant phreatophyte (a plant having deep roots and high water use) is well adapted to its new home in Death Valley.