Boundary Ephedra (Ephedra aspera)

   

Overview of Boundary Ephedra, 10 miles east of Peridot, Graham Co., AZ. Photograph by Wynn Anderson.

Seed cones, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, Centennial Museum, University of Texas at El Paso. Photograph by Wynn Anderson.

• Common English Names: Boundary Ephedra, Nevada Ephedra, Nevada Jointfir, Mormon Tea, Grey Ephedra
• Common Spanish Names: Popotillo
• Scientific Name: Ephedra nevadensis (ee-FED-druh nev-uh-DEN-sis)
• Family: Ephedraceae (Jointfir Family)
• Geographic Range: Oregon and California to Utah and western Texas and south into Mexico.
• Plant Form: Perennial subshrub 3' x 3'.
• Remarks: A cone-bearer (late winter-midspring) more closely related to conifers such as pines than to the flowering plants. Leaves reduced to scales, with stems responsible for photosynthesis. Full sun, low water.
• Ethnobotany: Ethnobotanical comments (as Ephedra nevadensis) by Jane SpottedBird. To return to this page, use the back button on your browser.

Last Update: 18 Aug 2013