Ephedra nevadensis

Biology of the Species

“Ephedra nevadensis is a species of Ephedra native to dry areas of western North America.

Fig 1. Western North America

Fig 2. Western North America (Green mormon tea)

It is found in rocky and sandy soils, generally in areas without trees. More than other North American Ephedra species, it is a significant forage plant. Nevada ephedra is a native erect, spreading shrub that reaches 1 to 4 feet (0.3-1.2 m) tall. It is essentially aphyllous with jointed, evergreen stems (Durham, 1450). The thick, woody roots can grow to 6.5 feet (2 m) deep, and may spread laterally and produce clones.

Fig 3. Nevada ephedra shrub

Ephedra nevadensis are gymnosperms. Stamens bear 1 to 8 pollen sacs, and 1 to 2 ovules are exposed at the tips of small, scaly cones. After pollination, these ovules develop directly into seed. The male cones are 0.16 to 0.3 inch (4-8 mm) long, while female cones are 0.2 to 0.4 inch (5-11 mm) long. Seeds are 0.16 to 0.35 inch (4-9 mm) long and occur singly or in pairs.

Nevada ephedra is commonly found on ridgetops as well as upper and lower slope positions. It also grows well in floodplain areas (Keeler, 31-35). Nevada ephedra is associated with shallow, rocky soils (to 2 feet (0.6 m) deep), often limestone-derived. Nevada ephedra has a high saline tolerance and is common on the margins of salt deserts (Durham, 1450).

Fig 4. Mixed Desert Shrub Community

However, it has no tolerance for acidity. Nevada ephedra is drought tolerant and requires approximately 7 inches (178 mm) annual precipitation. Nevada ephedra grows abundantly at the edge of the salt desert zone, but is also common in a variety of sagebrush (Artemisia spp.), desert shrub, and pinyon-juniper (Pinus-Juniperus spp.) communities. It generally grows as scattered plants or in small clumps but also occurs in isolated, large, pure stands (Keeler, 31-35).

Comparison: connection between the species' biology and its membership to desert plants

Ephedra nevadensis grows along the western edges of the California deserts and up into Southeastern Oregon, across Nevada into Utah and down into Arizona. Mormon tea is a small leafless shrub that flowers with weird flowers in spring followed by weird fruits in summer. Plant this in a hot dry spot next to the neighbor with the perennial garden they borrow money to tend.

On the other hand, the ocotillo plant consists of a set of ascending, wand-like stems; each studded with ...