Common Name: Pingo Pingo

General Information

Ephedra chilensis is a much-branched, evergreen shrub with very small, scale-like leaves and green, wiry stems where most of the photosynthesis takes place; it can grow around 25 - 150cm tall. Spreading by means of rhizomes, plants can form clumps[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes grown as a ground cover plant.
Ephedra chilensis has a wide range and no known major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known 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[].

Botanical References

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Range

Southern S. America - Andes of southern Chile and western Argentina.

Habitat

Hot, steep, dry slopes amongst pumice rocks; at elevations from 300 - 3,850 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Most Ephedra species are native to warm, dry, inhospitable regions, frequently found on stony slopes and gravel terraces, often on limestone[]. This species succeeds outdoors at Cambridge Botanical Gardens in eastern England (hardyness zone 7) and we have been growing it outdoors successfully in Cornwall (zone 8) since 1988[].
Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position[]. Succeeds in dry soils. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant[].
Plants do not flower profusely or regularly in Britain[]. Our plants have been producing reasonable crops since 1991[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Plants require a good summer in order to fully ripen their wood - this will encourage good flowering and fruiting the following summer.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. A sweet flavour, but fairly boring[]. The globose, yellow to pink or red fruit is about 8mm in diameter[, ].

Seeds - ground into a powder and made into bread[].

Medicinal

The stems are depurative and diuretic[]. An infusion of the stems and roots is used locally as a diuretic and to 'purify' the body[].

Ephedra species, especially those found in Asia, have a long history of medicinal use, particularly in the treatment of respiratory conditions such as asthma, hay fever, catarrh and coughs. They are also considered to be antisyphilitic, antipyretic and circulatory stimulants. The main active substances are alkaloids, particularly ephedrine and the closely related pseudoephedrine, though many other alkaloids can be present[, ].
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are found mainly in the Asian species; those species in the Americas generally have much lower or zero levels, though they do contaim various other alkaloids. These American species often have a high reputation as a refreshing tonic tea that promotes kidney and urinary tract health[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be used for ground cover, spaced about 60cm apart each way[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[]. It can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in a sandy compost[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in the spring or early summer after the last expected frosts and give some protection in their first winter[].
Division in spring or autumn[].
Layering.