Care of the shrub Ephedra altissima or Chaetocladus altissima |
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The genus Ephedra, family Ephedraceae, includes 60 species of shrubs native to Eurasia, Africa and America. Some species are: Ephedra altissima, Ephedra californica, Ephedra distachya, Ephedra nebrodensis, Ephedra fragilis, Ephedra americana, Ephedra chilensis. This species is native to North Africa and the Canary Islands. They are perennial dioecious shrubs with a rounded habit and slow growth that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height and 1 meter (3.28 feet) in width. The green stems bear small rudimentary leaves. The cream or yellow flowers are of no decorative interest. They bloom from late winter to mid-spring. The red berries are quite decorative. They are used in rockeries, in shrubby groups, in informal hedges, on dry and sunny slopes and as isolated specimens. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens. It has medicinal properties since it contains ephedrine. Ephedra altissima grows in full sun and semi-shade exposures. They resist light and occasional frosts. The soil must have good drainage; they are capable of growing in calcareous, stony, poor and sandy soils. They are very drought resistant plants that need occasional watering, always waiting for the substrate to be completely dry. They do not need fertilizer. Prune at the end of winter to maintain a compact habit and eliminate dry branches. They are plants resistant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to excess watering. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring and by cuttings. |
Images of the shrub Ephedra altissima or Chaetocladus altissima |
 Ephedra altissima  Ephedra altissima  Ephedra altissima  Ephedra altissima |