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Ephedra nevadensis
Also called Gray Ephedra, Morning Tea, Nevada Ephedra, Nevada Morning Tea, Mormon Tea, Nevada Mormon Tea
Nevada jointfir is a leafless, jointed desert shrub native to dry western North America, grown mainly for forage, habitat restoration and ornament. The key to growing it is full sun and very well-drained, sandy or rocky soil with minimal water.
Ephedra nevadensis, commonly known as Nevada ephedra, gray ephedra, Mormon tea and Nevada jointfir, is a species of gymnosperm native to dry areas of western North America.
Its range extends west to California, east to Colorado, north to Oregon, and south to Baja California, including areas of the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau and desert Southwest. It is found in rocky and sandy soils, generally in areas without trees. It can be found in a variety of environments but predominately grows in desert climates.
A study was conducted to determine a better understanding of the nutritional potency of Ephedra nevadensis compared Ephedra with orchardgrass hay (Dactylis glomerata) and cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). It was determined that Ephedra scored second in terms of having the most ammoniacal nitrogen, while also scoring highest in ruminal pH. Results produced that Ephedra could be used as a grazing alternative but cannot be determined as exceptional in terms of nutrition or toxicity. In another study conducted to determine the toxicity of two different varieties of Ephedra (viridis, nevadensis) focusing on maternal and fetal toxicity in livestock, it was concluded that Ephedra nevadensis showed no dietary abnormalities or signs of ailment or toxicity in both the material party and offspring.
Ephedra nevadensis can grow across a vast variety of biomes including but not limited to shrub lands, desert climates, wooded areas as well as salty deserts. Growing in an arid climate does present threats to Ephedra nevadensis. In particular, regional fires do sometimes occur but is not a common event due to the lack of foliage that would serve as fuel. The plants ability to re-establish from such an occurrence is directly related to length of burning season and fire severity.
Ephedra nevadensis was used for food and medicine by Native Americans and for tea by Mormons. Currently, its biggest use is as forage for sheep and cattle (it is not as good for horses), and for habitat restoration. It is sometimes grown for ornamental purposes. Among the Zuni people an infusion of the whole plant, except for the root, is taken for syphilis. They also use it to make a tea-like beverage.
High-climbing jointfir · Cutler's jointfir · Join · Gerard jointfir · Ephedra intermedia · Dwarf Joint Fir · Ephedra rhytidosperma · Chinese ephedra · Jointfir
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Ephedra nevadensis by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
