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Ephedra nevadensis
Ephedra nevadensis S. Watson
Nevada Jointfir, Nevada Joint-fir
Ephedraceae (Mormon-Tea Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: EPNE
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A 5 ft. shrub with yellowish-gray, erect-spreading branches. Small, paired leaves split and fall off early leaving a leafless, broom-like shrub. Tiny, individual, yellow to light-brown flowers cluster together to form a cone-like inflorescence.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Dioecious
Fruit Type: Cone
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Apr
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , NV , OR , UTNative Distribution: S.e. CA to UT & AZ
Native Habitat: Deserts; rocky slopes
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Arid, sandy or rocky soils.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Seeds are eaten by mountain quail.The plant provides winter browse for large and small mammals.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Description: Grown from seed. Seeds germinate best at alternating termperatures with quite cold nighttime temps. Seedlings grow rapidly and can be easily transplanted.Seed Collection: On good seed years, abundant collections of seeds can be obtained by flailing the fruit branches over an open tray.
Seed Treatment: Hot water and 3 weeks stratification improve germination.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Ephedra nevadensis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ephedra nevadensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ephedra nevadensis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-18Research By: TWC Staff