Nevada Mormon tea

Ephedra nevadensis

Leafless jointed evergreen shrub up to 5 ft. tall with primitive cone flowers, blooming March to July. Adapted to shallow to medium depth dry rocky, and often limestone derived soils on the margins of salt deserts, desert grasslands and in floodplains; 1,000 to 7,000 ft. elevation. More tolerant of alkaline and saline soils than Green ephedra (E. viridis). Often occurs within White bursage (Ambrosia dumosa), Blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima), Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and Joshua tree communities. Able to root sprout after wildfire. Browsed by mule deer, bison, bighorn sheep and pronghorn; especially important deer winter forage. Seeds are favored by many small mammals and are also eaten by mountain quail. Provides cover for small animals and upland birds.