Ephedra fragilis Seeds | Joint Pine
LATIN NAME: Ephedra fragilis
COMMON NAME: Joint Pine
Plant Profile
Among the ornamental and useful plants raised from seed, Joint Pine (Ephedra fragilis) stands out as a bushy, evergreen shrub in the ephedra family. In time it steadily becomes a bushy, spreading clump, reaching 1-2 metres. Site it in full sun, in poor, sandy ground. Mature plants top out at about 1-2 metres. Add these qualities together and you have a species well worth a place in the garden.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the ephedra family, Ephedra fragilis draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. Joint pine has a real and distinguished place in the research. With present-day seed handling, raising this species well within the reach of any careful grower.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Joint Pine earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Ecologically, joint pine is a generous plant of dry garden. Its small, inconspicuous cones feed many insects and small birds, and its fine, jointed, green stems give a neat, remarkable presence to dry garden and rock garden. Stems of joint pine contain potent alkaloids and are never to be eaten or made into any home remedy. Establishment is uncomplicated, and afterwards ordinary care suffices.
Joint-pine of the Mediterranean coasts, with bright red edible-looking berries that birds spread; it is grown as a salt-tolerant botanical curiosity.
Growing from Seed
Raising Joint Pine from seed is straightforward. Sow the seed evenly over the surface and cover lightly, using a loose, well-drained seed compost, and keep it just moist in full sun until the seedlings are well up. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
It grows as a bushy, evergreen shrub, so its place in the garden is easy to plan. Within its genus it stands out for garden reliability. Fresh seed sown into evenly moist compost is most of the battle won.
Related Reading
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