ephedra

[ ih-fed-ruh, ef-i-druh ]

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Ephedra, growing in dry regions and having branching stems with dry scalelike leaves.

ephedra

/ ɪˈfɛdrə /

noun

1. any gymnosperm shrub of the genus Ephedra, of warm regions of America and Eurasia: the source of ephedrine: family Ephedraceae , phylum Gnetophyta

Word History and Origins

Origin of ephedra¹

< New Latin (Linnaeus) < Greek ephédra the horsetail plant, literally, sitting (upon a place), equivalent to ep- ep- + hédra seat, sitting ( cathedra )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ephedra¹

C18: New Latin, from Latin, from Greek ephedros a sitting upon, from epi- + hedra seat

Example Sentences

Some have died after taking a dietary supplement containing ephedra.

From Washington Post

The amount of raw materials sent to him increases every year, as more and more people are drawn to harvesting ephedra.

From Washington Post

Previously, the Taliban were understood to charge tax on ephedra.

From BBC

Herbal supplements included in the analysis were green tea, garcinia cambogia, mangosteen, white kidney bean, ephedra, African mango, yerba mate, veld grape, licorice root and East Indian globe thistle.

From BBC

The researchers were able to identify the images of ephedrine labs through the large quantities of waste water and dried ephedra crops left over from the process and dumped outside the buildings.

From BBC