Nevada Jointfir
Ephedra nevadensis
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © silversea_starsong (iNaturalist #124923430)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Gnetophyta | - Mormon tea and other gnetophytes
- Family:
- Ephedraceae
- Genus:
- Ephedra
- Species:
- Ephedra nevadensis
- USDA Symbol:
- EPNE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Hemileuca chinatiensis
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire. Common component of fire-adapted desert scrub communities.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with cold stratification. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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