What is horsetail ephedra? What does this plant look like, where does it grow and what is it used for? You will find answers to all these questions in the materials of the presented article.
Basic information
Ephedra horsetail is a special type of shrub belonging to the genus Ephedra and the family Ephedra, or Ephedra. It should be noted that this plant has other names: horsetail ephedra, mountain ephedra.
Ephedra horsetail: botanical description
As mentioned above, the plant in question is a perennial and densely branched shrub, the height of which can reach 1-1.5 meters. Its root is quite thick, branched and long. The stem of this plant is single (may be among several). It is also thick, woody, branchy and gray from the base.
The twigs of the mentioned shrub are directed upwards. They are straight, segmented, with internodes up to 2 cm, smooth, protruding, up to 1.5-2 mm in diameter, green, and also finely furrowed.
Ephedra horsetail has scaly and opposite leaves that are fused at the base. Above, they are short-triangular, devoid of chlorophyll and reduced to sheaths. Chloroplasts are found only in the bark cells of non-lignified and young stems.
Male spikelets of this plant are single or in number of two or three. They reach a length of 4-5 mm. Such leaves are crowded and located along the branches.
The outer bracts of the considered shrub are round-oval. They are blunt, thin. Anthers, including six to eight pieces, are very rare and almost sessile.
The female spikelets of this plant are located in exactly the same way as the anther ones, that is, on legs 1-2 mm long. Ephedra horsetail has 2-3 pairs of bracts. Below they are broadly oval in shape, and along the edge they are narrowly membranous. They are pollinated by the wind.
Does horsetail ephedra bear fruit? Photos of the berries of this plant can be seen in this article. They are red or orange in color. Also, the fruits of the shrub under consideration are fleshy, spherical-elongated and single-seeded. Their seeds are rounded, 4-6 mm long and convex on both sides.
When does the herb ephedra horsetail bloom? A photo of this shrub is presented above. Its flowering occurs in May-June. The seeds of the mentioned plant reach their full ripeness only in July, and the pineal berries fall in September.
Ephedra horsetail where does it grow?
In Russia, this shrub can be found in the Volga regions, as well as in the southeast of the European part. Also, the plant in question is common in the Caucasus, in the mountains of Central Asia, Western Siberia, the Eastern Tien Shan, Mongolia and China.
In what areas does horsetail ephedra live? Wheredoes this shrub grow? Such a plant is typical for mountainous regions. It can be found in the mountain-steppe, mountain-forest and subalpine zones.
Most often, the shrub under consideration grows on gravelly scree, rocky areas and in rock crevices, including at an altitude of 1000-1700 meters above sea level. In such places, the plant takes root thanks to its powerful root system.
Ephedra horsetail forms not very dense, but quite extensive thickets. It is very demanding on light, and is also able to reproduce vegetatively, by dividing the bushes.
Use in ornamental gardening
What is horsetail ephedra needed for? Planting and care of this plant require special attention. After all, its decorative appearance depends on it.
According to botanists, this shrub is used for:
- landscape design;
- imitation of wild massifs and thickets;
- landscaping and decoration of rock gardens and rockeries;
- creating borders in front of rocky gardens;
- imitation of snowstorms and waves in a decorative composition;
- as a textural accent in modern design;
- filling in the soil and creating a background texture plant.
Unfortunately, the use of ephedra is limited, as it contains narcotic substances. The cultivation and distribution of such shrubs is prohibited by law. However, these norms do not apply to single ornamental plants, since ephedrine of these types of grasses is notused in landscape design.
Growing conditions
All types of shrubs in question are accustomed to a dry climate, as well as steppe, rocky and desert soil. Therefore, they can be settled even on poor soils.
When decorating your garden, the conifer must be provided with a sunny place. At the same time, it should be noted that such plants put up well with drafts, are not capricious of polluted air and are not afraid of winds.
The soil for horsetail ephedra needs special. She is known to love well-drained and dry alkaline soils.
Waterlogging of such shrubs is detrimental, including in the winter season. Undersized conifers feel good in crevices between rockeries and stones, as well as in stony soil. If the plant needs to be planted in flower beds or ordinary soil, then powerful and high-quality drainage should be laid in the planting pits.
Planting a plant
A place for planting such a shrub should be prepared in advance. The soil is dug deep and mixed with sand to improve its permeability.
The soil of an acid reaction or a neutral environment must be limed. Also, a high drainage layer is laid out at the bottom of the landing pits.
Ephedra horsetail takes root well in spring and autumn. However, the most optimal periods for her landing are:
- mid-April-May;
- mid-August-September.
Planting shrubshappens in the standard way. The main thing at the same time is not to deepen the basal neck. Watering the plant after planting is mandatory. Water is distributed around the entire perimeter of the landing pit. In the future, watering ephedra is carried out only during drought.
Shrub care
Ephedra horsetail is a resistant and hardy plant. Caring for it comes down to maintaining the drainage of the soil and its ability to pass liquid.
Irrigation is not needed for such shrubs. If the heat is extreme, then maintaining moisture will contribute to the formation of beautiful berries.
Feeding such conifers is not required, except when they grow in poor rocky soil.
The main care item for ephedra is loosening the soil. Do it in early spring and autumn.
Chemical composition and economic importance
Absolutely all parts of the shrub in question contain pseudoephedrine and ephedrine. The shoots of this plant include up to 11% tannins. They can be used to obtain tannic extracts.
In Central Asia and Kazakhstan, horsetail ephedra stem ash is sometimes added to chewing tobacco.
Medical applications
Ephedrine is a substance that has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system and the heart. It also inhibits intestinal motility, causes vasoconstriction, increases blood pressure, excites the respiratory center and expands the bronchi.
This element differs from adrenaline in that the effect of ituse develops gradually, but has a longer effect.
Preparations based on this plant are used to reduce vasoconstriction in rhinitis and inflammation, as well as a means to increase blood pressure during operations, infectious diseases, narcolepsy, myasthenia gravis, injuries, poisoning with sleeping pills and narcotic drugs. In addition, ephedrine is actively used in ophthalmic practice to dilate pupils during diagnostics.
Side effects
When ephedrine is taken incorrectly, it has pronounced side effects, which manifest themselves in the form of nausea, dizziness, slight trembling, vomiting, precordial pain, palpitations, fear of death, arterial hypertension, insomnia, nervous excitement, urinary retention and hyperhidrosis, and also headache and skin rash.
