Ephedra spp. seeds

[tripsis]

Hi,

I recently got some E. sinica seeds from SAB. I have one Ephedra sp. plant growing presently, but being dioecious, wanted decided to get some seeds so I could have the ability to breed them.

The seeds for the plant I am growing now I was sent by a friend. I asked him what species they were, but he had no idea, so I assumed it was likely to be E. sinica. Only one of the five seeds germinated.

However, on arrival of the seeds from SAB, I realised the plant I have must not be E. sinica. The seeds I received from my friend were a much lighter brown, matte in appearance and grooved. The E. sinca seeds from SAB are dark brown, smooth and shiny. Does anyone have an idea of what species I am presently growing?

I can post pics of the seedling is it helps. It's probably around 6 months old now.

Thanks for any help.

[planthelper]

Hi,

I recently got some E. sinica seeds from SAB. I have one Ephedra sp. plant growing presently, but being dioecious, wanted decided to get some seeds so I could have the ability to breed them.

The seeds for the plant I am growing now I was sent by a friend. I asked him what species they were, but he had no idea, so I assumed it was likely to be E. sinica. Only one of the five seeds germinated.

However, on arrival of the seeds from SAB, I realised the plant I have must not be E. sinica. The seeds I received from my friend were a much lighter brown, matte in appearance and grooved. The E. sinca seeds from SAB are dark brown, smooth and shiny. Does anyone have an idea of what species I am presently growing?

I can post pics of the seedling is it helps. It's probably around 6 months old now.

Thanks for any help.

no mate it's practicly impossible to seperate ephedra spp. by seed alone, and very tricky to id them even as grown plant.

i am an ephedra specialist and even i would have problems seperating the many different strains around.

i can seperate e. nevandensis, from e. sinica, and e. major has some features aswell which might help me to get an idea if it's major. but basicly as said it's very difficult, maybe trained biotanist can help you.

i love ephedras, and just the other day, chewed some e. distachya, but i found that even botanical gardens might have wrong labels on there ephedras.

there are an awfull lot of different ephedras, some taste nice and can be id roughly maybe that way, another one grows only small (ephedra minima) an can as such easely be indentified, some have yellow fruits compared to mostly red ones,

anyway tripsis have fun researching ephedras, as they are awesome and a living fossil!

[Teotzlcoatl]

You would not believe the diversity of Ephedra species that Sacred Succulents carries... he has even been to the Far East on botanical collection expeditions!

[tripsis]

Alright, thanks folks. I see it's an exercise in futility then. Ah well, it's a lovely plant anyway.

Does anyway know whether Ephedra species will hybridise with one another? It would still be nice to be able to breed with that one, but if not, have enough E. sinica seeds to get me a few plants going.

Not all Ephedra species are active either, right?

[sascacheuan]

Does anyway know whether Ephedra species will hybridise with one another? It would still be nice to be able to breed with that one, but if not, have enough E. sinica seeds to get me a few plants going.

Not all Ephedra species are active either, right?

Hello.

Some pics of mine:

Nebrodensis(=major) and distachya:

Fragilis:

[flora]

anyone know of a good source of seed? i only know of sab, from which i have one healthy specimen

> very nice pics there by the way sascacheuan

Edited September 26, 2009 by flora

[Teotzlcoatl]

Sacred Succulents!

Those are awesome pictures!

[flora]

Sacred Succulents!

Those are awesome pictures!

sry i meant australian seeds.