Ephedra viridis

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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 and green Mormon tea. It is native to the western United States, where it is a member of varied scrub, woodland, and open habitats. This shrub is made up of many erect bright green twigs. They may yellow somewhat with age. Nodes along the twigs are marked by the tiny brown ridges which are the plant's leaves. 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.

Pollen cone

Seed cone

Seeds

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Jepson Manual Treatment
• USDA Plants Profile
• Ecology
• Photo gallery