|
|
Ephedraceae Dumortier, Fl. Pak. 27-34. 1987.
Dioecious shrubs. Wood without resin ducts. Leaves opposite, reduced. Male flowers in ± ovoid spikes with usually 2 connate bracts and 1‑3 sporangia. Female flowers 2, enclosed by a membranous 2‑partite or‑fid sheath, surrounded at base by numerous imbricate bracts. Fruit usually red, berry‑like. Seeds 2.
1 genus and 42 species distributed in warm temperate America, Asia and Europe. Represented in Pakistan by c. 9 species.
For proper identification of Ephedra, fruiting and flowering material is essential. Many sterile specimens of various taxa look alike. More collecting and study is desirable; the following account is provisional. A few species are the source of the important drug ephedrine.
Lower Taxon
Related Links (opens in a new window) |
Treatments in Other Floras @ www.efloras.org
Other Databases
|
|
|
|
|
|
|