Long-leaf Joint-Fir
Mormon Tea

Ephedra trifurca

Pen & Ink Illustration © by Michael J. Plagens

Sketched from live specimen.
     The swellings in the stems are galls caused by the feeding activity of minute larvae of a gall midge, Asphondylia sp. At lower left is a detail view of a cone scale.

CONES: This is a conifer and so seeds and pollen are borne in cones and in this case on separate plants. The male cones are up to 1 cm and the female seed cones are usu. longer than 1 cm. Cones may be absent for extended periods due to drought.
three slender leaves at each node
LEAVES: Three needle-like leaves at each node with rather sharp tips. There are also some persistent fibers around and below the leaves.

RANGE: Common locally on creosote desert flats in the Sonoran Desert from southeastern California and ranging eastward into similar habitat in the Chihuahuan Desert.

SHRUB: Woody shrub usually well under 2 meters tall, however under ideal conditions this plant can reach tree-size (see photos below). It can also take on a sprawling habit on sand dune habitat. Jointed stems are green and photosynthetic.

ARMED. The leaves and stems have variously sharp tips.

Ephedraceae -- Joint Fir Family

More Information:

Ephedra trifurca in sand dunes in the Colorado Desert © by Michael J. Plagens

In sandy desert of far northwestern Sonora, Mexico. 25 Jan. 2015. Sand frequently mounds up under these low scrambling shrubs.

Ephedra trifurca close-up of trunk and bark texture © by Michael J. Plagens

When tree-sized the bark becomes fibrous and deeply furrowed. Observed within the dry riverbed of the Hassayampa near Palo Verde, Maricopa Co., Arizona, Aug. 2010.

Ephedra trifurca close-up of trunk and bark texture © by Michael J. Plagens

This desert tree growing in the dry riverbed of the Hassayampa near Palo Verde, Maricopa Co., Arizona, was about 5m tall. Aug. 2010.

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Copyright Michael J. Plagens, page created 6 Nov. 2007,
updated 31 Jan. 2015.