Practical
Plants

Ephedra trifurca

Longleaf Jointfir

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Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

Edible uses

A tea is made from the branches[3]. Fruit - raw or cooked.

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Tea

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.

The dried and crushed stems are diuretic[6].An infusion has been used in the treatment of venereal disease, stomach complaints and kidney problems[7]. The pulverized or boiled stems were also applied externally as a poultice on syphilitic sores by some native North American Indians[5]. They can also be used as a poultice on other skin sores[7]. Unlike many members of the genus, this species is not very rich in the alkaloid ephedrine and so is not used in the treatment of asthma[6].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
VD

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - southern California to Texas and Mexico.
Habitat
Dry sandy and rocky places below 600 metres in Creosote bush scrub, deserts etc[9]. Dry rocky slopes to flat sandy areas at elevations of 500 - 2000 metres[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[4]. 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[6]. Layering.

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of this country. It hybridises in the wild with other members of the genus. In particular, it hybridises with E. torreyana to form E . × intermixta. This hybrid occurs in a small area of southwestern New Mexico (near Engle, Sierra County) within the zone of sympatry of the two parental species; it may be fertile (mature seeds are formed). It is intermediate in most characters but can be identified by its combination of the spinelike terminal buds of E . trifurca and the scabrous, light yellow seeds of E . torreyana[8].The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position[1][2]. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant[4]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown in fruit and seed are required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Flora of N. America http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/

    ↩1↩2

  9. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

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