Ephedra aphylla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across parts of Northern Africa and Western Asia. In the North African region, it can be found growing within the territories of Egypt and Libya. Moving into Western Asia, its presence extends to the island of Cyprus. It is also documented across the Levant region, specifically within Lebanon and Syria. Finally, its geographical range includes the area of Palestine.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ephedra aphylla is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a plant adapted to specific ecological niches, its life form is classified as a chamaephyte, meaning its buds are located close to the soil surface, which provides a level of protection against environmental stressors. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a low-growing structure enables the species to maintain stability and reproductive capacity within its natural habitat over time.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ephedra aphylla is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically functioning 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 entirely independent, showing no parasitic behavior, and relies on its structural woodiness to maintain its upright, shrubby habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ephedra aphylla involves a complex botanical process centered on the production of specialized seeds. The reproductive cycle culminates in the development of seeds that exhibit a highly consistent physical profile, characterized by a uniform seed mass. Quantitative analysis of its reproductive output reveals a precise seed mass mean of 0.02355 g, a value that is mirrored by both the maximum and minimum recorded seed mass measurements of 0.02355 g. This lack of variance in seed mass indicates a highly standardized energetic investment per seed, ensuring that each unit of progeny maintains an identical mass of 0.02355 g to support early developmental stages.

Seed mass mean:

0.02355 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ephedra aphylla has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Tannin.

Flavonoid

1. Biomolecules

Tannin

1. Biomolecules

Activities

Ephedra aphylla has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Biomolecules

Antioxidant

1. Biomolecules

Conditions

Ephedra aphylla has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, HCT-116 cells, HeLa cells.

Bacillus cereus

1. Biomolecules

Candida albicans

1. Biomolecules

Escherichia coli

1. Biomolecules

Hct-116 cells

1. Biomolecules

Hela cells

1. Biomolecules

Klebsiella pneumoniae

1. Biomolecules

Listeria monocytogenes

1. Biomolecules

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Biomolecules

Salmonella typhimurium

1. Biomolecules

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Biomolecules

Preparations

Ephedra aphylla has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract.

Aqueous extract

1. Biomolecules