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rough jointfir
Scientific Name: Ephedra aspera
Family: Ephedraceae
Category: Gymnosperm
Growth: Shrub, Subshrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Rough Jointfir (Ephedra aspera)
Ephedra aspera, commonly known as rough jointfir, is a fascinating plant native to the southwestern United States. This page provides information on its taxonomy, distribution, and other characteristics.
Common Names
- Rough Jointfir
- Boundary Ephedra
- Mormon Tea
- Pitamoreal
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Ephedra aspera Engelm. ex S. Watson
- Family: Ephedraceae (Mormon-Tea Family)
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Synonyms:
- Ephedra clokeyi
- Ephedra fasciculata
- Ephedra nevadensis var. aspera (Engelm. ex S. Wats.) L. Benson
- Ephedra peninsularis
- Ephedra fasciculata var. fasciculata (formerly)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the southwestern United States (e.g., Arizona, New Mexico, California, Texas)
- Found in desert shrubland.
Morphological Characteristics
- Shrub or subshrub, typically 1 meter to rarely 2 meters tall.
- Essentially leafless; photosynthesis occurs in the greenish twigs.
- Twig segments are straight.
- Perennial duration, meaning it grows year after year.
Further Information
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Focused on protecting and preserving North America's native plants.
- Dave's Garden: A community for sharing gardening tips and ideas.
- Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest.
- Discover Life: Page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Ephedra aspera.
- CalPhotos: Collection of photos of Ephedra aspera.