Ephedra altissima
Ephedra altissima, commonly known as a significant medicinal shrub, belongs to the Ephedraceae family. Native to specific arid regions, this plant is highly valued for its alkaloid content, particularly ephedrine. It has been traditionally utilized in various cultures to treat respiratory ailments, boost energy, and manage cardiovascular functions.
- Scientific name: Ephedra altissima
- Family: Ephedraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Gnetidae, it is situated in the order Ephedrales and the family Ephedraceae. Finally, Ephedra altissima is categorized under the genus Ephedra.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Gnetidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ephedrales | WCVP |
| Family | Ephedraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ephedra | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Ephedra altissima, is referred to by different names depending on the language and region. In Arabic, it is called علندى عالية, while in Bulgarian, its common name is висока ефедра.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | علندى عالية | Wikidata |
| bg | висока ефедра | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Ephedra altissima, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the northern portion of the African continent. Its presence is documented within the diverse landscapes of Morocco and Algeria. Additionally, the species can be found spanning across the territories of Tunisia and Libya. The range of this medicinal plant also extends into the region of Western Sahara. Together, these locations define its primary habitat within the North African region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Western Sahara | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Chad | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Ephedra altissima, is a medicinal shrub characterized by its unique reproductive structures. While the plant is primarily known for its photosynthetic green stems, it also produces distinct flowers that are essential to its life cycle. These flowers are typically small and inconspicuous, appearing at the tips of the branches to facilitate pollination, and they play a key role in the biological development of the species within its natural habitat.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ephedra altissima has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-(N-nitroso-N-methylamino)propiophenone, N-nitrosoephedrine, N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine, N-nitrosoproline, N-nitrosopseudoephedrine.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 2-(N-nitroso-N-methylamino)propiophenone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-nitrosoephedrine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-nitrosoproline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| N-nitrosopseudoephedrine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ephedra altissima has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Dermatitis.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |