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Native Plant Database

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Ephedra trifurca (Ephedra)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Ephedra trifurca Torr. ex S. Wats.

Ephedra, Mormon tea, Longleaf jointfir, Jointfir, Longleaf teabush, Tea weed, Canutillo

Ephedraceae (Mormon-Tea Family)

USDA Symbol: EPTR

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This is a 1-5 ft. shrub with yellowish-gray, erect, forked branches. Spine-tipped leaves, in groups of three, split and fall off early leaving a leafless, broom-like shrub. Cones are red-brown.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Dioecious
Size Notes: 1-5 ft
Leaf: Green
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NM , TX
Native Distribution: S.w. TX to s. CA & n.w. Mex.
Native Habitat: Sandy or gravelly hill & plains; dry creek beds; scrubby areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2) , Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: High
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Gravelly or sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Provides cover for birds and small mammals. Nutlike seeds are taken by quail and other birds.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-PM-1 Collected 2010-05-26 in Presidio County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ephedra trifurca in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ephedra trifurca in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ephedra trifurca

Metadata

Record Modified: 2011-10-11
Research By: TWC Staff

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