Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica)

Family: Ephedraceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Ephedra sinica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from August to September. 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

Fruit - raw or cooked. — Fruit - raw or cooked.

Habitat & North American Range

Deserty areas. Waste and sandy places, plains and mountain slopes at elevations of 700 - 1600 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)