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Ephedrales Short Notes

Ephedrales is a division of Gnetophyta consisting of about 65 species of xerophytic shrubs and small trees, primarily found in arid regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They exhibit unique morphological features, such as green, jointed stems and highly reduced leaves, and are notable for their reproductive process involving wind-borne pollination and double fertilization. Economically, species like E. gerardiana and E. intermedia are significant for their medicinal properties, including the extraction of ephedrine for treating respiratory conditions.

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692 views2 pages

Ephedrales Short Notes

Ephedrales is a division of Gnetophyta consisting of about 65 species of xerophytic shrubs and small trees, primarily found in arid regions of the Northern Hemisphere. They exhibit unique morphological features, such as green, jointed stems and highly reduced leaves, and are notable for their reproductive process involving wind-borne pollination and double fertilization. Economically, species like E. gerardiana and E. intermedia are significant for their medicinal properties, including the extraction of ephedrine for treating respiratory conditions.

Uploaded by

tahir
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Ephedrales Short Notes

1. Taxonomy & Classification


Division: Gnetophyta
Class: Gnetopsida
Order: Ephedrales
Family: Ephedraceae
Genus: Ephedra (E. gerardiana, E. intermedia, E. foliata, E. saxatilis)

2. Distribution
~65 species of Ephedra.
Native to arid/semi-arid regions of the Northern Hemisphere: North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia (including India).

3. Morphological Features
Habit: Xerophytic shrubs/small trees (E. compacta 30 cm; E. triandra several meters tall)
Stem: Green, ribbed, jointed (phylloclade), photosynthetic; nodes with branches in pairs/threes
Leaves: Highly reduced, scale-like, opposite-decussate, non-photosynthetic; fused at base into a sheath
Roots: Taproot with adventitious roots; no mycorrhiza

4. Reproductive Structures
Male Strobili:
- Clustered at nodes; 212 bract pairs
- Each male flower: 212 microsporangia (synangium)
- Pollen: 5-celled (prothallial, tube, generative, stalk, body nuclei)

Female Strobili:
- Arise in pairs; 34 bract pairs, uppermost pair bears 12 ovules
- Ovule: Longest pollen chamber among gymnosperms; 2 integuments (outer 4 vascular bundles, inner 2); micropyle forms lon

5. Reproductive Process
Pollination: Wind-borne (anemophilous); pollen captured by pollination drop
Fertilization: Double fertilization (unique in gymnosperms); one male nucleus fuses with egg, other with ventral canal nucleus (fo
Embryogeny:
- Polyembryony (from one embryo sac)
- Elongated suspensor pushes embryo into nutritive tissue
Seed:
- Dicotyledonous embryo, embedded in endosperm
- Nucellar cap present
- Bracts may be fleshy (e.g., E. foliata)

6. Economic Importance
Ephedrine: Extracted from E. gerardiana, E. intermedia used in asthma, bronchitis treatment
Traditional Medicine:
- Stem decoction for rheumatism, syphilis (E. antisyphilitica)
- Berry juice: Used for respiratory disorders
Others:
- Mormon tea (U.S.) brewed from stems
- Ornamental use in dry landscapes

7. Comparison with Taxales


Feature | Ephedrales | Taxales
-----------------|--------------------------------------|-------------------------------
Habitat | Arid, semi-arid regions | Moist temperate forests
Stem | Green, jointed, photosynthetic | Brown, woody
Leaves | Scale-like, non-functional | Linear, needle-like
Cones | Compound strobili (M/F separate) | Male cones; solitary ovule, no cone
Seeds | Bract-covered or exposed | Surrounded by red aril
Unique Trait | Double fertilization | Taxol (anti-cancer compound)

8. Key Distinctions
- Ephedra is the only gymnosperm showing double fertilization (non-functional)
- Characteristic jointed green stems and highly reduced leaves
- Unlike Taxus, it lacks fleshy cones and has unique reproductive and stem traits

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