Ephedra intermedia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ephedra persica
• Ephedra yangthangensis
• Ephedra sumlingensis
• Ephedra pangiensis
• Ephedra intermedia var. persica
• Ephedra intermedia var. schrenkii
• Ephedra intermedia var. tibetica
• Ephedra heterosperma
• Ephedra microsperma
• Ephedra ferganensis
• Ephedra tibetica
• Ephedra valida
• Ephedra tesquorum
• Ephedra khurikensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the vast landscapes of northern and central Asia. In the Russian region of Siberia, it can be found within the Altai mountains and throughout West Siberia. Its range extends significantly into Central Asia, where it inhabits various terrains. Specifically, the species is documented growing in the territories of Kazakhstan and Kirgizstan. Additionally, its geographical presence reaches as far south as Turkmenistan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ephedra intermedia is characterized by its specialization in rugged, high-altitude environments, primarily thriving within mountains and stony places. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, establishing itself across a broad vertical gradient that begins at an elevation of 900 m AMSL and extends to a maximum height of 3200 m AMSL. By inhabiting these rocky and mountainous terrains, the plant is adapted to the specific microclimates and substrate conditions found in such high-relief landscapes.

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains, stony places

Life history

The life history of Ephedra intermedia is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons rather than completing a single reproductive cycle. As a plant adapted to specific ecological niches, it exhibits a chamemphyte life form, meaning its perennating buds are located close to the soil surface, typically just above the ground level. This growth strategy enables the plant to withstand environmental stressors while maintaining a stable presence within its habitat throughout its extended lifespan.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ephedra intermedia is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily functioning as a self-supporting shrub. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, relying instead on its own physiological processes for sustenance. The plant is terrestrial in its habitat, typically avoiding aquatic or semiaquatic environments. Its structural development is defined by a shrubby habit, with its overall stature reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 1 meter.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ephedra intermedia is characterized by specialized adaptations to arid environments, most notably through its unique photosynthetic pathway. This species utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. Despite the inherent water-use inefficiencies typically associated with C3 metabolism in dry climates, Ephedra intermedia manages its physiological processes through morphological specializations, such as reduced leaf surface area and photosynthetic stems (cladodes) that help regulate transpiration. Its metabolic activities are closely tied to its ability to maintain osmotic potential and manage oxidative stress under high-temperature and low-moisture conditions, ensuring that carbon assimilation continues even when environmental stressors are high.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ephedra intermedia is characterized by its dioecious nature, meaning that individual plants are either male or female, necessitating cross-pollination between separate individuals to achieve sexual reproduction. The flowering process for this species is highly concentrated, with the flowering period typically starting in June and concluding within the same month of June, though the specific timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions.

Flowering time :

Jun

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Ephedra intermedia has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Diuretic, Stimulant.

Antibacterial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Diuretic

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Stimulant

1. Phytochemistry

Conditions

Ephedra intermedia has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include COVID-19, Staphylococcus aureus, cold, edema, weight loss.

Covid-19

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cold

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Edema

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Weight loss

1. Phytochemistry

Wheezing

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Preparations

Ephedra intermedia has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethanol extracts, Water and ethanol extracts.

Ethanol extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Water and ethanol extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)