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Ephedra minuta
Florin
Miniature Jointfir
Ephedraceae
Ephedra minuta is a small shrubby gymnosperm in the family Ephedraceae. It is endemic to Qinghai and Sichuan Provinces of China.
Description
Ephedra minuta is a short, slightly spreading plant, growing up to 25 cm tall. Leaves are tiny, 4.5 mm long, opposite and fused at the base, while pointed and recurved on the other end. Pollen cones have 6 to 8 anthers and are attached (sometimes oppositely) directly to the stem; they have a few pairs of bracts. This plant pollinates during late spring to early summer. Seed cones are red, fleshy, oblong when mature, and have a few pairs of bracts and are shortly stalked at the base. They contain a few seeds that dark purple-black, 6 to 8 mm long and 2 to 3 mm wide, pointed, partially extended out from the seed cone bracts. Both the seed cones and seeds contain a waxy bloom. Seeds become mature during early autumn (Wu et al. 1999).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Species in the genus Ephedra contain ephedrine, an alkaloid often used medicinally for respiratory problems (Bell and Bachman 1998).
Distribution
Ephedra minuta grows in grassy or shrubby areas at high elevations, 2000 to 4800 m above sea level. It is native to the Chinese provinces of Qinghai and Sichuan (Wu et al. 1999; Bell and Bachman 1998).
Status
Ephedra minuta is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern", because there are no sizable threats to the species, although medicinal collection does exist (Bell and Bachman 1998).
References
Bell, A., and Bachman, S. 1998. Ephedra minuta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T201663A9159231.en.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 1999. Flora of China. Vol. 4 (Cycadaceae through Fagaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 1999. Flora of China. Vol. 4 (Cycadaceae through Fagaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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