Ephedra californica – “California Ephedra”

Also Known As: California Joint-Fir, Mormon Tea, Desert Tea
Family: Joint-Fir (Ephedraceae)
Bloom Period: Does not flower but yellow pollen cones [pictured] appear in the spring
Form: Perennial shrub
Habitat: Sandy or gravelly soils
Leaves: Small, scale-like, three to each joint; quickly shed
Translation: “Ephedra” is the Greek name for the Horsetail plant, which it resembles; “californica” is “Californian.”
Notes: This plant is usually dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. The male plants distribute pollen from their anthers (pictured in the photo) and the female plants have seed-bearing cones. Ephedra is called a “gymnosperm” (Greek for “naked seed”) because its seed is not enclosed by an ovary, like the seeds of all flowering plants are. This is the particular species of Ephedra that is harvested commercially to make ephedrine, an ingredient in pharmaceutical stimulants and decongestants.
Native American Uses: The Kawaiisu made a beverage tea from the stems and ate the seeds. The Kumeyaay used an infusion of the plant to purify the blood, stimulate appetite, treat stomachaches, and for kidney health. They also used charcoal from the wood for tattoos.
Animal Associations: Food plant for the White-Tailed Antelope Ground Squirrel and the Desert Woodrat.