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Ephedra viridis
Ephedra viridis Coville
Mormon Tea
Ephedraceae (Mormon-Tea Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: epvi
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Mormon-tea is a 3 ft. shrub with numerous yellowish-green branches. Paired, bristle-tipped leaves split and fall off early leaving a leafless, broom-like shrub. Pollen cones and seed cones occur on separate plants.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Breeding System: Flowers Unisexual , Dioecious
Fruit Type: Cone
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Bloom Notes: Reproductive structures consist of pollen and seed cones. Bloom color refers to cones. Bloom time refers to coning period.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , CO , NM , NV , OR , UT , WYNative Distribution: CA deserts & n. along e. slope of the Sierras to s.e. OR, e. to AZ & s.w. CO
Native Habitat: Deserts; dry, rocky slopes & canyon walls; 3000-7500 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
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: 1 month stratification gives good results.
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
Web Reference
Webref 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 viridis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ephedra viridis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ephedra viridis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-08Research By: TWC Staff