Ephedraceae FAMILY Least Concern

Ephedra ciliata

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

3/5

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 ciliata is a much-branched, climbing or trailing, evergreen shrub with very small, scale-like leaves and green, wiry stems where most of the photosynthesis takes place; it can grow up to 300cm 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, medicine and source of materials Ephedra ciliata is a widespread species with no perceived threats at present. It occurs in numerous protected areas cross the range and is known from recent collections indicating the species is still extant and the population is stable. 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 RangeN. Africa from Mauritania and Morocco, east through Arabia, southwest and central Asia to northwest India

HabitatThorn savannah, rocky slopes, scrambling on trees and shrubs; at elevations from sea level to around 2,300 metres in Pakistan[ 287 Title Flora of Pakistan Publication Author Website http://www.efloras.org Publisher Year ISBN Description As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource. , 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. , 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 ].