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
1 / 7—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
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Close Relative (c) Urgamal Magsar, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Joe Decruyenaere / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
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