Nevada Jointfir
Ephedra nevadensis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Gnetophyta | - Mormon tea and other gnetophytes
- Family:
- Ephedraceae
- Genus:
- Ephedra
- Species:
- Ephedra nevadensis
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 3-4 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may
- Bloom Colors:
- green, yellow, yellow-green
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Hemileuca chinatiensis
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- dry, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid desert conditions
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold stratification. Seeds are also soaked in a 1:4 bleach/water solution for 1 to 3 hours, then leached overnight to remove any inhibitors and to allow full imbibition of seeds prior to sowing.
Establishment: Seeds are collected in late spring. E. nevadensis is found from Oregon and Nevada south to California and Arizona, and is common on dry hills and slopes mostly below 4500 ft elevation from Arizona and Utah to Owens Valley, California. The length of the establishment phase is 4 weeks.
Source: npn.rngr.net