Ephedra nevadensis |
Ephedra viridis |
|
---|---|---|
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 | ||
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 | ||
Web links |