Greek. name for the Mares Tail, Hippuris, which it resembles.

Reed-like shrubs sometimes scrambling or occasionally tree-like. Young shoots cylindrical, ribbed. Leaves opposite, joined at the base to form a sheath around the stem. Plants mostly unisexual. Male flowers in spikes with the filaments fused into a column. Female flowers solitary or 2-3 terminal. Ovules solitary, erect with a tube-like throat projecting from the pouch-like perianth. Inner bracts become fleshy, white or red at maturity.

c. 40 species from northern temperate regions, temperate South America and tropical Asia.

Carlquist (1992).

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Ephedraceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.