Fabaceae / Papilionaceae

6
Ephedraceae
Ephedra ciliata Fisch. & Mey ex C.A. Mey.
English name: Ephedra.
Local name: Wahri.
Description:
A straggling plant species, due to the weak stem it spreads over other plants like
Prosopis cineraria, Salvadora and Lycium species, the plant has bunch of green
branches arising form the same node, minute yellowish green strobili (unisexual,
male or female) come up form each node. Propagated by seed.
Habitat:
Xerophytic. Common in the warmer and sandy areas.
Uses:
Stem of the plant has ephedrine which is used in cure
asthma and many other respiratory disorders. However,
this species does not have enough contents for
commercial exploitation.
Distribution:
Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Central & South Asia and
Africa. It is the only Gymnosperm species found naturally
In Sindh.