Leafless Ephedra

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Leafless Ephedra

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ephedra fragilis var. campylopoda
• Ephedra fragilis subsp. campylopoda
• Ephedra macedonica
• Ephedra major
• Ephedra campylopoda

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Ephedra foeminea, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Gnetidae, it is classified under the order Ephedrales and the family Ephedraceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Ephedra.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Ephedra foeminea, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of Southeastern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Albania and Bulgaria. Additionally, its presence extends into the territory of Greece. The species is also documented to inhabit the island of Kriti. Finally, its range includes parts of Italy, completing its Mediterranean footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ephedra foeminea is characterized by its specialized growth strategies adapted to Mediterranean environments, primarily exhibiting a life form categorized as a phanerophyte, which allows it to maintain its photosynthetic structures above the ground. Depending on the specific ecological niche and environmental stressors it encounters, it can also manifest as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its relatively diminutive, shrubby stature. This plant typically follows a perennial life cycle, developing woody, jointed stems that facilitate survival through seasonal variations. Its development involves a complex reproductive phase where it functions as a dioecious species, requiring both male and female individuals for successful pollination. The life history is marked by its ability to thrive in rocky or sandy soils, where its structural adaptations as a phanerophyte enable it to endure varying degrees of exposure while maintaining its perennial presence in the landscape.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Ephedra foeminea is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a subshrub. It is a terrestrial species that exists as an independent organism, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. While it possesses a structural habit that can be described as a facultative climber, it primarily maintains its form through its woody architecture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

facultative

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ephedra foeminea has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Recent patents on biotechnology

Chemicals

Ephedra foeminea has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 7-Octen-2-ol, CATECHIN, Citronellol, DOCOSANE, ETHYL ACETATE.

7-Octen-2-ol

1. Mycopathologia

CATECHIN

1. Natural product research

Citronellol

1. Mycopathologia

DOCOSANE

1. Mycopathologia

ETHYL ACETATE

1. BioMed research international

Epicatechin

1. Natural product research

Fatty acids

1. Metabolites

Guajavarin

1. PloS one

Henryoside

1. PloS one

PENTACOSANE

1. Mycopathologia

Activities

Ephedra foeminea has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Antiviral.

Anticancer

1. PloS one

Antioxidant

1. PloS one

Antitumor

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antiviral

1. PloS one

Conditions

Ephedra foeminea has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, headaches, respiratory diseases.

Cancer

1. BioMed research international
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology

Breast cancer

1. PloS one
2. Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology

Cervical cancer

1. PloS one

Headaches

1. PloS one

Respiratory diseases

1. PloS one

Tumor

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Ephedra foeminea has 12 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include acetone, aqueous extract, aqueous extract of the leaves, dichloromethane/methanol, ethanol.

Acetone

1. Metabolites

Aqueous extract

1. Recent patents on biotechnology

Aqueous extract of the leaves

1. Recent patents on biotechnology

Dichloromethane/methanol

1. Metabolites

Ethanol

1. Metabolites

Ethanol crude extracts

1. BioMed research international

Ethyl acetate

1. Metabolites

Ethyl acetate (etoac)

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ethyl acetate crude extracts

1. BioMed research international

Herb extracts

1. Natural product research