White Shrubby Horsetail

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• White Shrubby Horsetail

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Gnetidae and the order Ephedrales. Finally, it resides in the family Ephedraceae and the genus Ephedra, specifically identified as the species Ephedra alatas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Ephedra alata, is widely distributed across several regions in Northern Africa. Its presence is notably recorded in the country of Algeria, where it grows within specific arid habitats. In addition to this, the species can be found spanning across the territories of Egypt and Libya. It also inhabits various parts of Morocco, contributing to its regional diversity. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant extends to Tunisia, completing its footprint across the North African landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ephedra alata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its natural habitat. In terms of its growth architecture and survival strategy, it is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the ascending or descending shoots are near or just above the soil surface, often protected by the ground layer. This specific life form, categorized under both chamaephyte classifications, enables the species to endure environmental stressors by maintaining its reproductive and vegetative structures close to the substrate.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ephedra alatata is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a self-supporting shrub. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant is an independent organism, lacking any parasitic nature, and relies on its robust, woody structure to maintain its stature without the need for climbing mechanisms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ephedra alatata is characterized by specific seed morphologies and dispersal mechanisms tailored to its environment. The species produces seeds with a highly consistent mass, recorded at a mean, maximum, and minimum of 0.01372 g, indicating a lack of significant variation in seed weight within the population. Regarding its dispersal strategy, the plant exhibits an anemochorous syndrome, relying primarily on wind to transport its seeds to new locations, although the broader ecological context suggests a potential for more complex interactions involving other dispersal modes.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass mean:

0.01372 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ephedra alata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Seed

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Ephedra alata has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, Isorhoifolin, MAGNESIUM, Myricetin 3-rhamnoside, Quercetin 3-D-galactoside.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Scientific reports

Isorhoifolin

1. Scientific reports

MAGNESIUM

1. Scientific reports

Myricetin 3-rhamnoside

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Quercetin 3-D-galactoside

1. Scientific reports

RUTIN

1. Scientific reports

SYRINGIC ACID

1. Scientific reports

Umbelliferone

1. Scientific reports

Vanillic acid

1. Scientific reports

apigenin

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Ephedra alata has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Antioxidant

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
2. Scientific reports

Antibacterial

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Anticancer

1. Scientific reports

Conditions

Ephedra alata has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, breast cancer, bronchial asthma, diabetes mellitus, liver cancer.

Cancer

1. Scientific reports
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Breast cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bronchial asthma

1. Scientific reports

Diabetes mellitus

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Liver cancer

1. Scientific reports

Oxidative stress

1. Scientific reports

Uterine cancer

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Preparations

Ephedra alata has 8 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include decoction, 100% ethanol, 100% water, 80% ethanol, Hydro-alcoholic extracts.

Decoction

1. Environmental science and pollution research international
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

100% ethanol

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

100% water

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

80% ethanol

1. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Hydro-alcoholic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extract from aerial parts

1. Environmental science and pollution research international

Extracts

1. Archiv fur experimentelle Veterinarmedizin

Methanolic extract

1. Scientific reports