Ephedra triandra
Tull.
(c) José Luis Barberán, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by José Luis Barberán
(c) Santiago Mailhos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Santiago Mailhos, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.
Where to Find It
It is a subtropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 3,000 m above sea level.
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, South America*,
How to Identify
A shrub. The stems are 1-2 mm across and the internodes are 2-6 cm long. The fruit are 10-12 mm long. The fruit are red.
How to Grow
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown in fruit and seed are required.
Propagation: Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in autumn in a greenhouse, or in spring in a greenhouse using a sandy compost. Prick out seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle and grow on for at least their first winter under glass. Plant out in spring or early summer after the last expected frosts, with some protection in their first winter. Can also be propagated by division in spring or autumn, or by layering.
Medicinal Uses
The stems of most members of this genus contain the alkaloid ephedrine and are valuable in treating asthma and other respiratory complaints. Using the whole plant at much lower concentrations than isolated ephedrine rarely causes side-effects. While ephedra does not cure asthma, it often manages symptoms effectively. Stems can be used fresh or dried, usually prepared as a tea, though they can also be eaten raw — young stems are best for raw eating, while older stems are better suited to tea. Stems can be harvested at any time of year and dried for later use.
Other Uses
None known.
Wikipedia
Ephedra triandra is an evergreen shrub with persistent foliage year-round. The species is dioecious with separate male and female plants required for seed production and exhibits no self-fertility. It adapts to light sandy or medium loamy, well-drained soils with mildly acid to basic pH levels. The plant requires full sun, tolerates drought conditions, and accommodates both dry and moist soil environments.
Notes
There are about 40 Ephedra species.
Names & Synonyms
Fruta de quirquincho, Pico de gallo, Pico de loro, Qote-taq letaa, Tramontana
References (4)
- Chamorro, M. F., & Ladio, A., 2020, Native and exotic plants with edible fleshy fruits utilized in Patagonia and their role as sources of local functional foods. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 20:155
- Fouqué, A., 1972, Espèces fruitières d'Amérique tropicale. Institut français de recherches fruitierès outre-mer
- Malezas Comestibles del Cono Sur, INTA, 2009, Buernos Aires
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
