Ephedra viridis
| Ephedra viridis | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Gnetophyta |
| Class: | Gnetopsida |
| Order: | Ephedrales |
| Family: | Ephedraceae |
| Genus: | Ephedra |
| Species: | E. viridis |
| Binomial name | |
| Ephedra viridis Coville[1] |
|
Ephedra viridis is a species of Ephedra known by the common names green ephedra, Indian tea, and green Mormon tea. It is native to the western United States, where it is a member of varied scrub, woodland, and open habitats.
[edit] Description
This shrub is woody below, topped with many dense clusters of erect bright green twigs. They may yellow somewhat with age. Nodes along the twigs are marked by the tiny pairs of vestigial leaves, which start out reddish but soon dry to brown or black. Since the leaves are no longer functional, the stems are green and photosynthetic.[2] Male plants produce pollen cones at the nodes, each under a centimeter long with protruding yellowish sporangiophores. Female plants produce seed cones which are slightly larger and contain two seeds each.
[edit] Uses
The drug ephedrine, an antidepressant and decongestant, is made from this and other Ephedra species. A tea can be made by boiling the stems,[2] explaining the common name "green Mormon tea".
[edit] References
- ^ "Ephedra viridis information from NPGS/GRIN". www.ars-grin.gov. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?316663. Retrieved 2008-04-17.
- ^ a b Laird R. Blackwell (2002), Wildflowers of the Eastern Sierra and adjacent Mojave Desert and Great Basin, Lone Pine Publishing, ISBN 10:1-55105-281-4
[edit] External links
Media related to Ephedra viridis at Wikimedia Commons- Jepson Manual Treatment
- USDA Plants Profile
- Ecology
- Photo gallery
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