Ma Huang (Ephedra gerardiana)

Family: Ephedraceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Ephedra gerardiana is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 2 m (6ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet flavour. — The fruit is about 7mm in diameter.

Habitat & North American Range

Stony slopes and gravel terraces in drier areas of the Himalayas at 2400 - 5000 metres from Afghanistan to Bhutan. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)