biostudies-literatureLiu ANational Natural Science Foundation of China15077https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7494874biostudies-literatureUnknown10(1)Mineral nutrients play important roles in the growth and metabolism of Ephedra intermedia, and are affected by soil factors. Fifteen elements were measured from wild E. intermedia as well as their growing soils using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy to investigate the influences and characteristics of herb elements. The pH, cation exchange capacity, humus and soil mechanical composition were also determined in rhizosphere soils. Results showed that E. intermedia stems contained high N, low P concentrations in macronutrients and high Fe in micronutrients, and enriched N, S, Cl, P and Sr from soils. The 15 herb elements were affected by one or more soil factors, and K, P, Zn, Fe and Mn were important soil elements that influenced the mineral accumulation of E. intermedia. This stScientific reportsConcentration of fifteen elements in herbaceous stems of Ephedra intermedia and influence of its growing soil.PMC7494874No. 81760687Li SCen NSui HLiu AYang RMao FLi LZhao YfalseConcentration of fifteen elements in herbaceous stems of Ephedra intermedia and influence of its growing soil.Mineral nutrients play important roles in the growth and metabolism of Ephedra intermedia, and are affected by soil factors. Fifteen elements were measured from wild E. intermedia as well as their growing soils using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy to investigate the influences and characteristics of herb elements. The pH, cation exchange capacity, humus and soil mechanical composition were also determined in rhizosphere soils. Results showed that E. intermedia stems contained high N, low P concentrations in macronutrients and high Fe in micronutrients, and enriched N, S, Cl, P and Sr from soils. The 15 herb elements were affected by one or more soil factors, and K, P, Zn, Fe and Mn were important soil elements that influenced the mineral accumulation of E. intermedia. This st2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Sep2025-04-18T11:44:13.396Z2020-09-21T07:01:48ZS-EPMC74948743293428810.1038/s41598-020-72048-w