Pingo-pingo, Tume
Ephedra breana
Family: Ephedraceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 2 m high. The stems are 1-2 mm across and internodes 2-5 cm long. The leaves are in rings of 2-3.
There are about 40 Ephedra species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. In Chile it can grow from 500 m altitude to 3,500 m above sea level. It grows in dry areas with a winter rainfall of 100-300 mm. It can grow in areas with very low rainfall. It grows in full sun. It suits a hardiness zone of 8. It can tolerate some snow.
Countries/locations it is found in
Andes, Argentina, Chile, South America
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Granada, Sanguinaria