Practical
Plants

Ephedra distachya

Sea Grape

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Ephedra genus in the family Ephedraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Ephedra
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw[5][1][4]. A sweet but rather insipid flavour[K]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[6].

Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Members of this genus contain various medicinally active alkaloids (but notably ephedrine) and they are widely used in preparations for the treatment of asthma and catarrh[9]. 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[10]. The plant also has antiviral effects, particularly against influenza[9]. The stems are a pungent, bitter, warm herb that dilates the bronchial vessels whilst stimulating the heart and central nervous system[9]. The stems are also antitussive, diuretic, diaphoretic, febrifuge, hypertensive, nervine, tonic and vasoconstrictor[12][8][3][9]. They are used internally in the treatment of asthma, hay fever and allergic complaints[9]. They are also combined with a number of other herbs and used in treating a wide range of complaints238]. This herb should be used with great caution, preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[9]. It should not be prescribed to patients who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or suffering from high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism or glaucoma[9]. Ephedrine is seen as a performance-boosting herb and, as such, is a forbidden substance in many sporting events such as athletics[K]. The stems can be harvested at any time of the year and are dried for later use[9].

Product or use
Antiasthmatic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Antitussive
Product or use
Antiviral
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Miscellany
Product or use
Nervine
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vasoconstrictor

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be used for ground cover, spaced about 60cm apart each way[7].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
S. Europe to N. Asia.
Habitat
Semi-desert and desert regions and on gritty slopes on the Russian steppes[13]. Grasslands, sandy places and rocky mountain slopes below 900 metres in China[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[6]. It can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in a sandy compost[K]. 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[K]. Division in spring or autumn[9]. Layering.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position[2]. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant[6]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[6]. This species does not flower or fruit well in Britain[2]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  8. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  10. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  11. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  12. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

  13. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

Edit this page