The green links below add additional plants to the comparison table. Blue links lead to other Web sites.
enable glossary links

Nevada ephedra

green ephedra, green Mormon tea

Habit Shrubs 0.25–1 m. Shrubs 0.5–1 m.
Branches

alternate or whorled, angle of divergence about 45°;

twigs pale green to bluish green, fading to gray, glaucous when young.

alternate or whorled, angle of divergence about 30°;

twigs bright green to yellowish green, fading to yellow.

Buds

conic;

apex obtuse.

conic;

apex obtuse.

Leaves

opposite, rarely in whorls of 3, 2–6 mm long, deciduous;

leaf bases gray.

opposite, 2–5 mm long, persistent;

leaf bases brown to black.

Pollen cones

1–5 per node, ellipsoid, 4–8 mm.

2–6 per node; ovoid, 5–7 mm.

Seeds

1–2, globose to ellipsoid, 6–9 mm; smooth.

2, ellipsoid, 5–8 mm; smooth.

Seed cones

1–several per node, globose, 5–10 mm;

bracts opposite, 3–5 pairs, circular;

margins entire, brown to green center.

2–several per node; ovoid, 6–10 mm;

bracts opposite, 6–10 pairs; ovate;

margins entire, yellow center.

2n

=28.

=14, 28.

Ephedra nevadensis

Ephedra viridis

Distribution
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Dry, rocky slopes and sandy flats. 0–1900 m. BR. CA, NV; southeast to AZ. Native.

Typically coning in late winter to early spring, Ephedra nevadensis is most easily distinguished from our only other Ephedra species, E. viridis, by the bluish green color of its twigs.

Dry, rocky slopes, canyons, and sagebrush scrub. 900–1900 m. BR, Lava. CA, NV; east to CO, southeast to NM. Native.

Ephedra viridis typically cones in spring and is easily distinguished by its yellowish green twigs.

Source Flora of Oregon, volume 1, page 115
Stephen Meyers
Flora of Oregon, volume 1, page 115
Stephen Meyers
Sibling taxa
E. viridis
E. nevadensis
Web links