Ephedra saxatilis
Ephedra saxatilis, commonly known as the rock ephedra, is a resilient, shrubby medicinal plant native to arid, rocky terrains. Renowned for its alkaloid content, particularly ephedrine, it has been utilized in traditional medicine to stimulate respiration and treat various ailments, playing a significant role in ethnobotanical studies worldwide.
- Scientific name: Ephedra saxatilis
- Family: Ephedraceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Gnetidae and the order Ephedrales, specifically within the family Ephedraceae. Finally, the species 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 by various names across different contexts and regions, is referred to in Chinese as 藏麻黄 (zh), 藏麻黄 (zh-hans), and 藏麻黄 (zh-cn). It is also identified by the specific name 匍枝丽江麻黄（变型） (zh) and is commonly associated with the term 麻黄根 (zh) when referring to its medicinal roots.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 藏麻黄 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 藏麻黄 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 藏麻黄 | Wikidata |
| zh | 匍枝丽江麻黄（变型） | Wikidata |
| zh | 麻黄根 | Wikidata |
| zh | 云南麻黄 | Wikidata |
| zh | 川麻黄 | Wikidata |
| zh | 麻黄 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within East and South-Central Asia. In China, its presence is noted across the South-Central regions as well as within the high-altitude terrain of Tibet. The species also extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it can be found inhabiting the East Himalaya. Furthermore, its range includes the mountainous landscapes of Nepal. Collectively, these locations define the primary natural habitats where Ephedra saxatilis thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
Chemicals
Ephedra saxatilis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ABA, GA7, IAA, IPR, SA.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ABA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| GA7 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| IAA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| IPR | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |