Ephedraceae FAMILY Least Concern

Ephedra pachyclada

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Many species in this genus contain phenylethylamine alkaloids (e.g. ephedrine, pseudoephedrine). These compounds have stimulant properties and are effective medications in the treatment of a number of conditions. However, they do also have potential side effects and are contraindicated in a number of conditions including anxiety, anorexia, bulimia, diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension, thyrotoxicosis[ 2129 Title Ephedra foeminea Forssk. Publication Flora Palestina Ethnobotany website accessed 16/01/2023 Author Website https://florapal.org/plant/ephedra-foeminea/ Publisher Year 2023 ISBN Description ].

Botanical Description

Ephedra pachyclada is a small, much-branched, erect, evergreen shrub with very small, scale-like leaves and green, wiry stems where most of the photosynthesis takes place; it can grow up to 100cm tall[ 2130 Title Flora of Egypt Volume One (Azollaceae - Oxalidaceae) Publication Author Loufty Boulos Publisher Al Hadara Publishing; Cairo, Egypt Year 1999 ISBN 977-5429-14-5 Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine Ephedra pachyclada is distributed over a wide area and is under no major threats at present. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeAsia - Israel and Jordan, south to Egypy, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, east to Afghanistan and Pakistan

HabitatUsually found in the montane to alpine zones of dry areas, but can also be associated with shrublands and woodlands[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Found at elevations above 1,800 metres in the Himalayas[ 146 Title A Manual of Indian Timbers. Publication Author Gamble. J. S. Publisher Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh Year 1972 ISBN - Description First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader. ].