About
Ephedra, the joint firs, are unusual, leafless or scale-leaved evergreen shrubs and scrambling climbers with slender, jointed, rush-like, green stems that carry out photosynthesis. Small, cone-like structures produce pollen or seeds, and female plants bear bright-red or orange, berry-like fruits. Grown as ornamental curiosities in dry, sunny, well-drained gardens. Plants contain ephedrine, a therapeutically active and regulated compound.
About the genus
Ephedra, the joint firs, are evergreen or semi-evergreen shrubs and climbers with slender, green, jointed, rush-like stems and reduced, scale-like leaves. The genus contains the pharmacologically active compound ephedrine. They grow in arid and semi-arid habitats and are grown as ornamental plants in dry, well-drained, sunny gardens.
Plant details
Care notes