Jointfir (2)

	Mormon Tea Ephedra viridis Family: Jointfir (Ephedraceae) AKA: Jointfir, Squaw Tea, Cowboy Tea, Green Ephedra Photo taken on: June 4, 2009 Location: Bandelier National Monument, NM Life Zones: Plains to montane Habitat: Rocky areas, canyons, ledges Grows to 3 feet with straight, green, jointed stems. Leaves and flowers are inconspicuous. It has many branches and is straggly in appearance. Male and female cones are on separate plants. In the spring the plants are covered in tiny cones. Flora of North America reference.

	Torrey's Jointfir Ephedra torreyana var. torreyana Family: Jointfir (Ephedraceae) AKA: Torrey's Mormon Tea, Torrey's Ephedra Photo taken on: August 18, 2014 Location: Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, NM Life Zones: Plains and foothills Habitat: Dry areas, canyons, hillsides Grows to about 3 feet tall with blue-green to olive-green branches and twigs growing at odd angles. Tiny leaves at the joints are in threes compared to twos for E. viridis. Plants are either male or female. Male (below left) and female (right) cones are on separate plants. Photos below taken on: May 15, 2020 Location: Red Wash Canyon, Abiquiu, NM Flora of North America reference.