Mormon-tea Ephedraceae Ephedra spp. L. symbol: EPHED Leaf: Opposite, but very few and scattered, very small (1/3 inch), scale-like, appressed against green stem and very inconspicuous. Flower: Species is dioecious; yellow-brown, cone-like, 1/4 to 1/2 inch, occurring in small clusters at nodes, appearing in early spring. Fruit: A small, 1/3 to 1/2 inch cone. Twig: Most conspicuous part of the plant. It is almost entirely composed of yellow-green to blue-green twigs, branch repeatedly at nodes forming an upside down broom-like cluster. Bark: Gray to reddish brown becoming finely fissured. Form: Very unique dense cluster of green twigs (broom-like) apparently lacking foliage, reaching up to 3 feet in height. Additional Range Information: Ephedra spp. is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting Mormon-tea. External Links: USDAFS Additional Silvics USDA Plants Database © Copyright 2016, Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, all rights reserved. Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson