Ephedra chilensis
Ephedra chilensis whole
Ephedra chilensis, commonly known as the Chilean jointfir, is a resilient shrub native to the arid landscapes of Chile. Valued in ethnobotany, this species belongs to a genus renowned for containing bioactive alkaloids. It offers significant potential for pharmacological research, particularly in developing treatments for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
- Scientific name: Ephedra chilensis
- Family: Ephedraceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Ephedra chilensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Gnetidae within the order Ephedrales. Finally, it is a member of the family Ephedraceae and falls 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 by the common name EPHEDRA CHILENSIS WHOLE in English, is also frequently referred to as Pingo Pingo in Spanish.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| en | EPHEDRA CHILENSIS WHOLE | Wikidata |
| es | Pingo Pingo | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is native to the diverse landscapes of Southern South America. Its range extends across the northern reaches of the southern cone, specifically within the Northwest region of Argentina. It can also be found growing throughout the South of Argentina. In the neighboring country, the species is distributed across Central Chile. Finally, its geographical presence reaches into the southern territories of Chile.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southern South America | Argentina South | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northwest | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Chile Central | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Chile South | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Ephedra chilensis, is characterized by its distinct morphology as a perennial herb that typically grows in arid or semi-arid environments. As a small, shrub-like herb, its structure is defined by slender, photosynthetic green stems that lack true leaves, instead utilizing these stems to perform essential metabolic functions. The plant's herbaceous nature allows it to adapt to its specific ecological niche, utilizing its specialized stem tissue to store moisture and facilitate the production of various bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| herb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ephedra chilensis has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include catechin, catechins, epicatechin, kaempferol, protocatehuic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catechins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| protocatehuic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |