Ephedra breana

Phil.

Pingo-pingo, Tume

Ephedraceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 88 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

Ephedra breana (frutilla de campo, pingo-pingo) is a species of Ephedra growing from northwest Argentina through to Chile and Bolivia.

Description

A shrub. It grows 2 m high. The stems are 1-2 mm across and internodes 2-5 cm long. The leaves are in rings of 2-3.

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Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten.

Known Hazards

Ephedra species contain ephedrine alkaloids; consumption carries health risks.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. In Chile it can grow from 500 m altitude to 3,500 m above sea level. It grows in dry areas with a winter rainfall of 100-300 mm. It can grow in areas with very low rainfall. It grows in full sun. It suits a hardiness zone of 8. It can tolerate some snow.

Where It Grows

Andes, Argentina, Chile, South America,

Notes

There are about 40 Ephedra species.

Also Known As

Granada, Sanguinaria

References (5)

Aldunate, C. et al, 1983, Ethnobotany of pre-Altiplanic Community in the Andes of Northern Chile. Economic Botany 37( ) p 120-134
Rapoport, E., H., et al, 2003, Plantas Nativas Comestibles de la Patagonia Andina Argentino/Chilena Parte 1, Department de Ecologi Centro Regional Universitario Briloche p 28
Ugalde, P. C., et al, 2020, 13,000 years of sociocultural plant use in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. Vegetation History and Archaeobotany. Springer
Villagran, C., et al, 1999, La Tradicion Altiplanica: Estudio Etnobotanico en Los Andes de Iquique, Primera Region, Chile. Chungara, volumen 31 No. 1 pp 81-186
www.chileflora.com