Ephedra americana andina

Family: Ephedraceae

What it is like

Ephedra americana andina is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to July. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 1.8

Where it is found

Stony slopes and gravel terraces.

S. America - Andes from Ecuador to S. Chile and Argentina.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw. A sweet flavour, but fairly boring. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The stems are depurative and diuretic. The stems of most members of this genus contain the alkaloid ephedrine and are valuable in the treatment of asthma and many other complaints of the respiratory system. The whole plant can be used at much lower concentrations than the isolated constituents - unlike using the isolated ephedrine, using the whole plant rarely gives rise to side-effects. Ephedra does not cure asthma but in many cases it is very effective in treating the symptoms and thus making life somewhat easier for the sufferer. The stems can be used fresh or dried and are usually made into a tea, though they can also be eaten raw. The young stems are best if eating them raw, though older stems can be used if a tea is made. The stems can be harvested at any time of the year and are dried for later use.

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Other

Rating:

Plants can be used for ground cover, spaced about 60cm apart each way.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant. One report says that this species is frost-tender, but this is not our experience. It succeeds outdoors at Cambridge Botanical Gardens and we have been growing it outdoors successfully since 1988. Plants do not flower profusely or regularly in Britain. Our plants have been producing reasonable crops since 1991. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse. It can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in a sandy compost. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in the spring or early summer after the last expected frosts and give some protection in their first winter. Division in spring or autumn. Layering.

Best place to grow: Ground Cover; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

E. andina