Ephedra sp. (Ephedra)

Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) with small orange fruit on thin green branches in close up
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) with rounded orange fruit attached to slender green stems in close up

Botanical name: Ephedra sp.

Common names: Ephedra, Sea Grape

Family: Ephedraceae

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 5-9

Small plant 2-5 ftPlant form: Small
Plant mature sizeMature height: 2-5 ft
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeCold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Water Requirement: Low. Allow soil to dry out between wateringsWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Dry conditions; moderate
Yellow, orange flowersFlower color: Yellow, orange
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Ethnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

Ephedra is a genus of gymnosperm shrubs, the only genus in the family Ephedraceae.

Plants of the Ephedra genus, including Ephedra sinica (Ma Huang) and others, have traditionally been used by indigenous people for a variety of medicinal purposes.

Ma Huang is a Chinese herb. Hardy to 27 F. degrees. This shrub produces numerous slender jointed stems with virtually no leaves. Its cone-like fruits are red, fleshy and bitter to the taste.

Ephedra nevadensis is a related species that grows wild in the American Southwest and is widely called "Mormon tea." Ma Huang is used as a stimulant for the central nervous system and heart muscle. Chinese herbalists use Ma Huang during the early stages of respiratory infections. Unlike using the isolated or synthesized ephedrine, using the whole plant in alternative medicine is much more effective and rarely gives rise to serious side-effects.


Image gallery: 8 images
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) orange fruit hanging on many thin green slender branch plant twigs.
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) dense shrub with thin green stems and small round orange succulent fruit.
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) red fruit on thin green branches in a close up view.
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) with numerous rounded red fruit growing along slender green stems.
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) red fruit close up, small oval berries on thin stems
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) red berries cluster among slender needle-like leaves and thin green branches
Ephedra (Ephedra) sp. with red fruit on thin green branches in a sprawling plant
Ephedra (Ephedra) sp. with abundance of small red fruit dangling from thin green slender stems.
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) red fruit close up, small woody stems with green leaves attached
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) round red fruit attached to woody stems with small green leaves nearby.
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) red fruit close up, growing on thin woody stems and branches.
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) red fruit clustered tightly along thin, dry woody stems for visual interest.
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) red fruit on thin green branches in a dense close up.
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) with numerous tiny red fruit growing along slender, jointed, green branch structures.
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) close up of green plant stems with tiny yellow flower clusters.
Ephedra sp. (Ephedra) stems covered in clusters of small green flower parts and yellow pollen.


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