Ephedra distachya

Ephedra distachya is a shrub in the family Ephedraceae that stands about 25 cm to 50 cm high. The shrub grows in many parts of the world, including southern and central Europe and western and central Asia.[2][3] Its local names include somlatha.

Ephedra distachya
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnosperms
Division: Gnetophyta
Class: Gnetopsida
Order: Ephedrales
Family: Ephedraceae
Genus: Ephedra
Species:
E. distachya
Binomial name
Ephedra distachya
L.[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Chaetocladus distachys (L.) J.Nelson
  • Ephedra monostachya L.
  • Ephedra polygonoides Pall. 1815 not Siev. 1796
  • Ephedra vulgaris Rich., illegitimate name
  • Ephedra minor Host
  • Ephedra botryoides Fisch.
  • Ephedra media C.A.Mey.
  • Ephedra subtristachya C.A.Mey.
  • Ephedra arborea Lag. ex Bertol.
  • Ephedra clusii Dufour
  • Ephedra macrocephala Bertol.
  • Ephedra maritima St.-Lag.
  • Ephedra dubia Regel
  • Ephedra podostylax Boiss.
  • Ephedra linnaei Stapf ex Koehne
  • Ephedra helvetica C.A.Mey.
  • Ephedra rigida St.-Lag.
  • Ephedra negrii Nouviant

Subspecies
  1. Ephedra distachya subsp. distachya – central + southern Europe, southwestern + central Asia
  2. Ephedra distachya subsp. helvetica (C.A.Mey.) Asch. & Graebn. – Switzerland, France, Italy, Slovenia, Austria

History

Ephedra is part of a group of plants called ‘gnetophytes’. These plants have hardly changed in the past 100 million years, and are thought to be relics of an ancient flora. The leaves of Ephedra are tiny and scale-like. Gnetophyte leaves evolved independently from leaves in flowering plants. Ephedra produces the alkaloid ephedrine, which has been shown to interfere with insect thermoregulation and may also have effects on insect neurotransmitters. This may be the method by which the plant deters insect herbivores.[4]

Uses
Main article: Ephedra (medicine)

Ephedra distachya is used to relieve acute muscular and rheumatic pains (when it is called teamsters' tea), as a stimulant, and in the cardio tonics in Ayurveda. It is sometimes identified with the legendary drug soma, as described in the Avesta and the Rig Veda, the respective ancient sacred texts of the Zoroastrian and Hindu faiths.

Ephedrine, an alkaloid, is obtained from its dried branches and is used as a stimulant, often to control asthma. It was isolated from the plant by Nagayoshi Nagai in 1885. All parts of the plant contain up to 3% ephedrine.[5]

Side effects

Although Ephedra has many benefits, side effects include insomnia and a fast heart rate.[4]

  • Botanical illustration.
  • Male plant in bloom.
  • Pollen cones.
  • Female cones.
  • Ripe cones with seeds.
  • Female plant with ripe cones.
  • Rhizome and bark.

References
  1. "Ephedra distachya". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2008-04-18.
  2. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. Altervista Flora Italiana, Efedra distachia, Ephedra distachya L.
  4. "Sea Grape (Ephedra distachya)". Cambridge Botanic Garden. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  5. "Meerträubel (Ephedra distachya) im GIFTPFLANZEN.COMpendium - www.giftpflanzen.com". www.giftpflanzen.com. Retrieved 2008-04-18.
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