IUCN Status
: Least Concern
Author: Ankit jangir
Ankit Jangir is an explorer and field botanist, currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Botany from Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur. He completed his M.Sc. from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, with a strong focus on plant taxonomy and biodiversity documentation.
- Fatehpur shekhawati, sikar, Rajasthan.
- Naturally grown
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- Ephedra foliata is the only widely distributed gymnosperm species in Rajasthan. It presents as an evergreen climbing shrub, although it may also exhibit prostrate growth.
- Ephedra is a highly evolved gymnosperm (member of class Gnetopsida) because it contains flower-like compound strobili or inflorescences; vessels are present (modified tracheids).
- Stem is differentiated into Nodes and Internodes; and Photosynthetic(Phylloclade) .
- Leaves - only scaly leaves are present, foliage leaves are absent in Ephedra foliata.
- Ephedra foliata is a Heterosporous, Dioecious plant( Female and Male reproductive structures develops on different-different plants).
- Flowering time - February to March. -
Ephedra foloata
Male plant body
male flowers(male strobilus) develops on the nodes of branches in axil of scaly leaves. each strobili contain multiple male flowers. a short stalked structure which is known as sporangiophore emerges from flower and bears 8-10 microsporangia or anther lobes. -
Ephedra foliata
Female plant body
Number of female Strobili are depends on the number of Scaly leaves present on the Node. Strobilus is a elongated structure; upper ends are pointed and surrounded by many pairs of bracts(opposite and decussate arrangement). bracts are sterile(except uppermost pair).
So beautiful pictures as always….