Plant Data

Names and Taxonomy

  • Common Names: green Mormon tea, Brigham tea, green ephedra, mountain ephedra, Indian tea
  • Synonyms:
  • Family: Ephedraceae (Mormon-Tea Family)
  • Genus Information: 2 species of Ephedra in NV, 2 species in most of Mohave Desert, 77 species worldwide

Habit and Size

  • Duration: perennial
  • Habit: shrub
  • Shape:
  • Size: up to 3 feet (1 m)
  • Stem: green

Leaves

  • Color: green
  • Shape:
  • Edge:
  • Arrangement:
  • Leaf Retention: deciduous

Flowers and Fruit

  • Sex: dioecious
  • Flower Color: yellow
  • Flower Size:
  • Number of Petals: none
  • Bloom: Apr
  • Fruit: seeds

Habitat and Growing Conditions

  • Water Use: low
  • Light: full sun
  • Soil: sandy
  • Habitat: deserts, dry, rocky slopes and canyon walls

Distribution

  • Distribution: AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, OR, UT, WY
  • Seen: Red Rock Canyon
  • Elevation: 3000-7500 feet

Photographs

Green Mormon Tea (Ephedra viridis)

Ely, NV

Green Mormon Tea (Ephedra viridis)

Ely, NV