Ephedra alata
Family: Ephedraceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 1 m tall. The stems are rigid and branched. The leaves are 3-6 mm long and united towards the base of the plant. They are opposite and with 2 at each node. They are thick scale leaves. There are male cones in clusters. They are oval and 3-8 mm long. The female cones are at the nodes of the stems.
There are about 40-60 Ephedra species. It is used as medicine. It contains ephedrine.
Where it is found
It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in deserts.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Sahara, Somalia
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit, caution
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Canoole