Jointfir
Ephedra distachya
- Native to:
- Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine
Le.Loup.Gris
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Gnetophyta | - Mormon tea and other gnetophytes
- Family:
- Ephedraceae
- Genus:
- Ephedra
- Species:
- Ephedra distachya
- USDA Symbol:
- EPDI2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from rootstock after fire; adapted to Mediterranean and steppe fire regimes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers arid and semi-arid conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best at warm temperatures (20-25°C) after cold stratification. Light may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI