Illustration, from Martínez Carretero (2018).
A plant in habitat, Argentina; iNaturalist observation 67031596 [Andrey Bazylenko, 2020.12.24].
Detail of a plant in habitat, Argentina, showing the whorled leaves and fertile pollen cones; iNaturalist observation 67031596 [Andrey Bazylenko, 2020.12.24].
Mature fruit on a plant in habitat, Chile; iNaturalist observation 20214989 [javichinga, 2019.02.07].
Conservation Status
Ephedra ochreata
Caman, Fruta de Pichi, Solupe (Bell and Bachman 2011).
No data as of 2026-01-15.
Dioecious shrubs up to 1 m tall. Leaves in whorls of 3 or 4, coriaceousy, stiff, persistent; apex acuminate. Pollen cones simple, sessile, pyramidal, bracts also in 3's and 4's. Seed cones sessile, bracts fused for almost their entire length. Mature seed cones red, fleshy, bearing (2-)3-4 seeds (Martínez Carretero 2018). Photographs suggest the species is distinctive for the large number of pollen cones, commonly 8-12, whorled at the nodes.
Martínez Carretero (2018) also gives a key to the six Argentine species of Ephedra.
Chile (uncommon) and Argentina, occurring from Catamarca province in the north to Santa Cruz province in the south, at elevations of 0 to 2,100 m, on sandy or gravelly soils; common on dunes. The plant is common, abundant, widespread, and there are no recorded threats; thus it is not of conservation concern (Bell and Bachman 2011).
No data as of 2026-01-15.
No data as of 2026-01-15.
No data as of 2026-01-15.
The epithet ochreata (Latin) means "sheathed", in reference to the leaves.
Bell, A. and S. Bachman. 2011. Ephedra ochreata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/201666/9160011, accessed 2021.12.27.
Martínez Carretero, Eduardo. 2018. Ephedraceae Dumort. in Flora de Mendoza, Multequina 27: Fascículo 10, FM 1-9. Available: https://www.redalyc.org/jatsRepo/428/42857911008/42857911008.pdf, accessed 2021.12.26.
Miers, J. 1863. On Ephedra. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 3, 11: 257. Available: Biodiversity Heritage Library, accessed 2021.12.27. The portion of this paper beginning on page 248 is a fairly interesting read, discussing general biology of Ephedra (not to be taken as accurate) and attempting to describe all South American species; although, many of Miers' taxa have since been reduced to synonymy, esp. with E. chilensis.
Species profile at Plants of the World Online, accessed 2021.12.27.
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Copyright 2026 The Gymnosperm Database
Edited by Christopher J. Earle
This page accessed on Friday, October 23, 2026
Last Modified 2026-01-15
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