SafePlants

Ephedra: Joint-Pine, Mormon Tea, and More

Ephedra is a fascinating genus of gymnosperm shrubs, recognized for its unique characteristics and various uses. Let's explore the details of this plant.

Considerations for Pets

• Some species of Ephedra have reddish fleshy seeds.

Considerations for Children

• Some species of Ephedra have small scalelike leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Ephedra
• Family: Ephedraceae (the only genus in this family)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Genus
• Synonyms: The text lists "ephedra" and "jointfir" as English synonyms.

Common Names

• Joint-pine
• Jointfir
• Mormon-tea
• Brigham tea
• Ma huang (Chinese)
• Caatilla
• Popotillo
• Tepopote

Distribution and Habitat

• Ephedra species are found in dry, rocky slopes and hills.
• They are native to southern California.
• Interactive maps indicate where the herb grows in the US.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Ephedra are shrubs, often described as jointed and nearly leafless.
• They have reduced scalelike leaves.
• Some species, like Ephedra equisetina (Bluestem Joint Fir), have finely textured blue stems.
• Bluestem Joint Fir can be used as a screen or backdrop due to its dense growth.
• They feature yellow blooms in spring.
• The stems of some Ephedra species are bluish-gray-green, jointed, and upright.

Species Examples

• Ephedra equisetina (Bluestem Joint Fir)
• Ephedra nevadensis (Nevada Jointfir)
• Ephedra torreyana (Torrey Joint-fir)
• Ephedra trifurca (Longleaf Jointfir)
• Ephedra aspera (Rough Jointfir)
• Ephedra californica (California Jointfir)
• Ephedra viridis (Green Ephedra)
• Ephedra sinica
• Ephedra distachya

Further Resources

• USDA Plants database
• Wikimedia Commons (Category:Ephedra)
• Encyclopedia of Life
• Discover Life
• Dave's Garden