Torrey Ephedra (Ephedra torreyana)

   
 

Overview and stems of Torrey Ephedra, Franklin Mountains, El Paso Co., TX. Photographs by Wynn Anderson.

• Common English Names: Torrey Ephedra, Torrey's Jointfir, Mormon Tea, Brigham Tea, Mexican Tea,
• Common Spanish Names: Cañutillo, Cañatilla, Tepopote
• Scientific Name: Ephedra torreyana (ee-FED-druh torr-ee-ANN-uh)
• Family: Ephedraceae (Jointfir Family)
• Geographic Range: Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Chihuahua.
• Plant Form: Shrub to 3' H.
• Remarks: Full sun, little water, good drainage. A cone-bearing plant with leaves greatly reduced, thus appearing largely as a collection of green twigs.
• Ethnobotany: Ethnobotanical comments by Jane SpottedBird. To return to this page, use the back button on your browser.

Last Update: 4 Jun 2004