Ephedraceae FAMILY

Ephedra equisetina

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

4/5

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 equisetina is a much-branched, erect or partially procumbent, evergreen shrub with very small, scale-like leaves and green, wiry branches (where most of the photosynthesis takes place) growing from well-developed woody stems; it usually grows up to 100cm tall, but can reach 150cm[ 329 Title The Gymnosperm Database Publication Author Website http://www.conifers.org/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is a commercail source of ephidrine, used medicinally in the treatment of asthma and other conditions[ 61 Title A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Publication Author Usher. G. Publisher Constable Year 1974 ISBN 0094579202 Description Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader. ]. Ephedra equisetina

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeAsia - Turkey, Caucasus, through central Asia, southern Siberia, Mongolia, northern China and the Russian Far East

HabitatMountains in central and middle Asia[ 74 Title Flora of the USSR. Publication Author Komarov. V. L. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Israel Program for Scientific Translation Year 1968 ISBN - Description An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. Dry and rocky places; at elevations from 800 - 3,000 metres in China[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ].