Description
Ephedra is a genus of gymnosperm shrubs, the only genus in its family.
Ephedra is a genus of gymnosperm shrubs, the only genus in its family, Ephedraceae, and order, Ephedrales. with numerous densely clustered erect slender, smooth, green, jointed branches, arising from a branched woody base. Branches have scales at the joints.
Male cones are ovate, 6-8 mm, solitary or 2-3, with 4-8 flowers each with 5-8 anthers with fused filaments, and rounded fused bracts.Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Ephedra, somlata, joint-pine |
| Maximum Reachable Height | Up to 25 feet |
| Flower Colour | Yellow to Green |
| Bloom Time | May to June |
| Difficulty Level | Easy to grow |
Planting and care
Mahuang care
Ephedra should be planted in dry locations. It thrives in ordinary loamy soil and does very well in a loose rocky soil with full sun and little water. It is most often propagated by division of the clumps in spring, and seeds sown in a light sandy soil in early spring. It may also be propagated by layers and sucke
| Sunlight | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Watering | Medium |
| Soil | Well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 68 degrees F |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Mahuang special feature
Fruit is ovoid 7-10 mm, with fleshy red succulent bracts enclosing the seeds. Goats and yaks feed on the branches during winter. Gerard Jointfir is found on stony slopes, gravel terraces and drier places in the Himalayas.
Mahuang uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for an ornamental purpose