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Useful Temperate Plants

Ephedra pedunculata

Engelm. ex S.Watson

Ephedraceae

+ Synonyms

Common Name: Vine Mormon-tea

No Image.

General Information

Ephedra pedunculata is a climing, evergreen shrub with very small, scale-like leaves and green, wiry stems where most of the photosynthesis takes place; it can grow around 6 - 7 metres tall, the stems sometimes scrambling over the ground if no support is available[
2128
Title
Revisión Taxonómica y Distribución Geográfica de Ephedra (Ephedraceae) en México
Publication
Acta Botanica Mexicana 96: 79-116 (2011)
Author
Villanueva-Almanza L. & Fonseca R.M.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
The range of Ephedra pedunculata is somewhat restricted, but not small enough to meet the threshold for a threatened category.Due to a lack of any known major threats, 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.
].

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[
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 References

270
Title
Flora of N. America
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
,
2128
Title
Revisión Taxonómica y Distribución Geográfica de Ephedra (Ephedraceae) en México
Publication
Acta Botanica Mexicana 96: 79-116 (2011)
Author
Villanueva-Almanza L. & Fonseca R.M.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 

Range

Southern N. America - southwest Texas to northeast Mexico

Habitat

Deserts and arid shrubland, growing in calcareous, gravelly soil in dry, rocky areas; at elevations from 800 - 2,500 metres[
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.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Climber
Height5.00 m
PollinatorsWind
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Ephedra species are mainly temperate to subtropical plants, native to arid and semi-arid regions and are also found in seasonally dry habitats such as Mediterranean climates. They are often found at moderate to high elevations, especially when they occur in tropical regions
Requires a sunny position in a freely-draining soil. It grows well in dry soils and is very drought tolerant once established[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to 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

The red fruit is fleshy[
411
Title
Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
Author
Standley P.C.
Publisher
Smithsonian Institution; Washington
Year
1926
ISBN
 
Description
Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Medicinal

The leaves and branches are used to treat problems involing the liver, prostate and uterus; cysts in the uterus; kidney and urinary tract infections; high blood pressure, and varices[
1915
Title
Ethnobotany of the Andes
Publication
 
Author
Bussmann R.W. & Paniagua-Zambrana N.Y. (Editors)
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28933-1
Publisher
Springer Nature; Switzerland
Year
2020
ISBN
978-3-030-28932-4
Description
 
].

The plant, part not specified, is valued in Mexico as a remedy against pleurisy and pneumonia[
411
Title
Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
Author
Standley P.C.
Publisher
Smithsonian Institution; Washington
Year
1926
ISBN
 
Description
Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
2128
Title
Revisión Taxonómica y Distribución Geográfica de Ephedra (Ephedraceae) en México
Publication
Acta Botanica Mexicana 96: 79-116 (2011)
Author
Villanueva-Almanza L. & Fonseca R.M.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

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[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
,
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
].
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[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
,
2128
Title
Revisión Taxonómica y Distribución Geográfica de Ephedra (Ephedraceae) en México
Publication
Acta Botanica Mexicana 96: 79-116 (2011)
Author
Villanueva-Almanza L. & Fonseca R.M.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. It can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in a sandy compost[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. 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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Division in spring or autumn[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
Layering.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-12-13. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Ephedra+pedunculata>

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