Ephedra viridis

Ephedra viridis, known by the common names green Mormon tea, green ephedra, and Indian tea, is a species of Ephedra. It is indigenous to the Western United States, where it is a member of varied scrub, woodland, desert, and open habitats. It grows at 900–2,300 metres (3,000–7,500 ft) elevations.

Ephedra viridis
Ephedra viridis
Ephedra viridis: pollen cone
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Gnetophyta
Class: Gnetopsida
Order: Ephedrales
Family: Ephedraceae
Genus: Ephedra
Species:
E. viridis
Binomial name
Ephedra viridis

Description

The Ephedra viridis shrub is woody below, topped with many dense clusters of erect bright green twigs. They may yellow somewhat with age.

Nodes along the twigs are marked by the tiny pairs of vestigial leaves, which start out reddish but soon dry to brown or black. Since the leaves are no longer functional, the stems are green and photosynthetic.[2]

Male plants produce pollen cones at the nodes, each under a centimeter long with protruding yellowish sporangiophores. Female plants produce seed cones which are slightly larger and contain two seeds each.

Uses

The drug ephedrine, an antidepressant and decongestant, is made from this and other Ephedra species. A tea can be made by boiling the stems,[2] whence the common name, "green Mormon tea".

The plant was used medicinally by both Native Americans and the ancient Chinese to treat various afflictions including STDs such as gonorrhea and syphilis, kidney diseases, and complications with menstruation.[3][4]Native American tribes such as the Shoshone and Paiute tribes boiled tea using the stem of the plant and combined it with the bark of Purshia tridentata, a Californian shrub. [3]

In modern medicine, the plant is to treat sinus illnesses such as hay fever, common colds, and sinusitis. This use is supported by clinical trials, as is its treatment of bronchial asthma.[4]

Because the plant can be used as an appetite suppressant, it is used illegally by some athletes to lose weight and build muscle. [3]

Because Ephedra viridis is toxic, it should not be ingested without a doctor’s recommendation. [4]

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References
  1. "Ephedra viridis". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2008-04-17.
  2. Laird R. Blackwell (2002), Wildflowers of the Eastern Sierra and adjacent Mojave Desert and Great Basin, Lone Pine Publishing, ISBN 1-55105-281-4
  3. "GREEN EPHEDRA" (PDF). United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.
  4. "Scientific assessment of Ephedra species (Ephedra spp.)" (PDF). Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. 02/12/2010. Check date values in: |date= (help)


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