Plant · GBIF taxon 2653321
Joint-pine
Ephedra distachyaAlso known as Sea Grape, Common Ephedra, European Ephedra, Somlatha
Joint-pines are low-growing, highly branched gymnosperm shrubs with slender, photosynthetic green stems that resemble horsetails. Tiny, scale-like leaves hug the nodes, conserving moisture in arid coastal sand dunes and rocky limestone slopes. Female plants produce bright red, berry-like fleshy cones that attract birds for seed dispersal across Mediterranean and Eurasian landscapes.
Dune SpecialistGymnospermMedicinal History
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Birds
- Small rodents
- Grazing livestock
ThreatsCoastal development, trampling, dune habitat loss
HabitatsStable sand dunes, rocky hillsides, limestone slopes
Life span20–50 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyEphedraceae
- SpeciesEphedra distachya
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains active ephedrine alkaloids that affect heart rate; do not handle or consume wild stems or cones.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine alkaloids that act as powerful cardiac and nervous system stimulants.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by green jointed stems and paired, bright red fleshy female cones in late summer.
- What to do
- Observe without touching or consuming any stems or cones, and keep pets away from the foliage.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for bright green, jointed photosynthetic stems with tiny paired scale leaves at each node.
- Observation: Search stable coastal sand dunes and sunny, rocky slopes across southern Europe.
- Caution Note: Refrain from harvesting or consuming any part of the plant due to toxic ephedrine compounds.
Gymnosperm Kin (c) anemoneprojectors (no internet at the moment), some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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