Status:
valid
Authors:
Florin
Source:
wcs
Year:
1927
Citation Micro:
Acta Horti Gothob. 3: 8 (1927)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000794419
Common Names
- Small Ephedra
- Ephedra minuta
- Small Jointfir
Description
Ephedra minuta (also called Dwarf Ephedra, among many other common names) is a shrub-like plant with small, scale-like leaves and small, yellow-green flowers. It is native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in dry, sandy soils.
Uses & Benefits
Ephedra minuta is used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. It is also used as an ornamental plant in gardens and landscapes.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Ephedra minuta is small and yellow-green in color. The seed is small and brown, and the seedlings are thin and spindly.
Cultivation and Propagation
Ephedra minuta is a low-growing shrub that can be propagated by seed or cuttings. It is best grown in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate temperatures down to -20°F (-29°C). Prune in spring to keep the plant compact and to promote flowering.
Where to Find Ephedra minuta
Ephedra minuta is native to the Mediterranean region, including southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Ephedra minuta FAQ
What are the common names of Ephedra minuta?
Mormon tea, Squaw tea, Joint fir, Joint pine
What is the range of Ephedra minuta?
The range of Ephedra minuta is from the southwestern United States to northern Mexico
What are the uses of Ephedra minuta?
The leaves of Ephedra minuta are used as a tea for medicinal purposes, and the stems are used as a flavoring for food and beverages
Species in the Ephedra genus
Ephedra alata,
Ephedra altissima,
Ephedra americana,
Ephedra antisyphilitica,
Ephedra aphylla,
Ephedra arenicola,
Ephedra aspera,
Ephedra aurantiaca,
Ephedra boelckei,
Ephedra botschantzevii,
Ephedra breana,
Ephedra brevifoliata,
Ephedra californica,
Ephedra chilensis,
Ephedra compacta,
Ephedra coryi,
Ephedra cutleri,
Ephedra dahurica,
Ephedra distachya,
Ephedra eleutherolepis,
Ephedra equisetina,
Ephedra fasciculata,
Ephedra fedtschenkoi,
Ephedra foeminea,
Ephedra foliata,
Ephedra fragilis,
Ephedra frustillata,
Ephedra funerea,
Ephedra glauca,
Ephedra holoptera,
Ephedra intermedia,
Ephedra laristanica,
Ephedra likiangensis,
Ephedra lomatolepis,
Ephedra major,
Ephedra milleri,
Ephedra minuta,
Ephedra monosperma,
Ephedra multiflora,
Ephedra nevadensis,
Ephedra ochreata,
Ephedra oxyphylla,
Ephedra pachyclada,
Ephedra pedunculata,
Ephedra pentandra,
Ephedra procera,
Ephedra przewalskii,
Ephedra pseudodistachya,
Ephedra regeliana,
Ephedra rhytidosperma,
Species in the Ephedraceae family
Ephedra alata,
Ephedra altissima,
Ephedra americana,
Ephedra antisyphilitica,
Ephedra aphylla,
Ephedra arenicola,
Ephedra aspera,
Ephedra aurantiaca,
Ephedra boelckei,
Ephedra botschantzevii,
Ephedra breana,
Ephedra brevifoliata,
Ephedra californica,
Ephedra chilensis,
Ephedra compacta,
Ephedra coryi,
Ephedra cutleri,
Ephedra dahurica,
Ephedra distachya,
Ephedra eleutherolepis,
Ephedra equisetina,
Ephedra fasciculata,
Ephedra fedtschenkoi,
Ephedra foeminea,
Ephedra foliata,
Ephedra fragilis,
Ephedra frustillata,
Ephedra funerea,
Ephedra glauca,
Ephedra holoptera,
Ephedra intermedia,
Ephedra laristanica,
Ephedra likiangensis,
Ephedra lomatolepis,
Ephedra major,
Ephedra milleri,
Ephedra minuta,
Ephedra monosperma,
Ephedra multiflora,
Ephedra nevadensis,
Ephedra ochreata,
Ephedra oxyphylla,
Ephedra pachyclada,
Ephedra pedunculata,
Ephedra pentandra,
Ephedra procera,
Ephedra przewalskii,
Ephedra pseudodistachya,
Ephedra regeliana,
Ephedra rhytidosperma,