Dear All,
Just checked in Hareuveni. The Hebrew for Tamarisk is Eshel, similar
to the Arabic Athal. The Latin for Tamarisk is Tamarix, so I guess the
English comes from the Latin. But where the Latin comes from I have no
idea (yet!). Will think about it.
Best Wishes,
Martin

Not absolutely sure, but it sounds Arabic. In Israel the shrub is known as
Tamarisk, where it has a strong smell of vanilla while in bloom and inhabits
the most hostile environments.
"Tamar" is actually a Date Palm, there may be some non-botanical relation.

-- Rachel