About

Ephedra gerardiana, Gerard's joint fir, is a dense, thicket-forming, low-growing evergreen shrub to around 60 cm tall with vertical, jointed, dark-green, rush-like shoots. Inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers appear in summer; female plants produce red, berry-like fruits. An excellent ground-cover plant for a dry, sunny, well-drained position.

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.

Growing conditions

Plant details

Care notes