Ephedraceae FAMILY Least Concern

Ephedra alata

Edibility

0/5

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 alata is an erect, robust, xerophytic shrub forming much-branched, dense clumps[ 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. ]. It has very small, scale-like leaves and green, wiry stems where most of the photosynthesis takes place; it can grow up to 100cm tall[ 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. , 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 medicine and source of materials Ephedra alata is wide ranging and reported as common where found. 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 to W. Asia - Mali, Mauritania, Western Sahara and Morocco, east to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Syria

HabitatArid environments often near Wadis, in Wadi-beds, or on shifting sand dunes; growing in sandy calcareous soil, gravely/rocky soil or clay soils; at elevations up to 1,200 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. ].