Mormon Tea
Ephedra viridis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Gnetophyta | - Mormon tea and other gnetophytes
- Family:
- Ephedraceae
- Genus:
- Ephedra
- Species:
- Ephedra viridis
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 3-4 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may, jun
- Bloom Colors:
- green, yellow, yellow-green
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Native Range
United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid, rocky environments
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold stratification. They are also imbibed in water for 2 days and artificially stratified in a refrigerator for 30 days. Wet tumbling seems beneficial for this species.
Establishment: Seeds are wild collected during fall months and are kept separated according to site, elevation and source. Collected in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. There are regional variations in the distribution of Ephedra viridis.
Source: npn.rngr.net