Common Name: Mormon Tea

General Information

Ephedra viridis is a much-branched, erect to spreading, evergreen shrub with very small, scale-like leaves and green, wiry stems where most of the photosynthesis takes place; it can grow around 50 - 180cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Ephedra viridis is widespread and common and also occurs in protected areas. It is under no major threat at present. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

Many species in this genus contain phenylethylamine alkaloids (e.g. ephedrine, pseudoephedrine). These compounds have stimulant properties and are effective medications in the treatment of a number of conditions. However, they do also have potential side effects and are contraindicated in a number of conditions including anxiety, anorexia, bulimia, diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension, thyrotoxicosis[].

Botanical References

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Range

South-western N. America - Oregon, Wyoming, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico

Habitat

Dry rocky slopes, gravel terraces and canyon walls, often on limestone; at elevations from 800 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Ephedra species are mainly temperate to subtropical plants, native to arid and semi-arid regions and are also found in seasonally dry habitats such as Mediterranean climates. They are often found at moderate to high elevations, especially when they occur in tropical regions. This species is not very hardy in moister temperate regions such as Britain, where it succeeds well in a cold greenhouse but is often killed outdoors by a combination of cold and wet conditions[].
Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position[]. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Plants require a good summer in order to fully ripen their wood - this will encourage good flowering and fruiting the following summer.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. A sweet flavour.

Seed - cooked. A bitter flavour, it is roasted and ground into a powder and used to make a bread or mush[, ].

A delicious tea is made by steeping the green or dried twigs in boiling water[, ]. The flavour is said to be improved if the stems are roasted first[].

Medicinal

This plant has a wide reputation as a cure for syphilis[]. A strong decoction of the stems was drunk and a poultice of the pulverized or boiled stems applied to the sores[].
The stems are blood purifier, diuretic and tonic[]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of coughs and colds, anaemia, rheumatism, stomach ulcers and other disorders, kidney problems[]. The dried, powdered stems are used as a dressing on sores and burns[].

Ephedra species, especially those found in Asia, have a long history of medicinal use, particularly in the treatment of respiratory conditions such as asthma, hay fever, catarrh and coughs. They are also considered to be antisyphilitic, antipyretic and circulatory stimulants. The main active substances are alkaloids, particularly ephedrine and the closely related pseudoephedrine, though many other alkaloids can be present[, ].
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are found mainly in the Asian species; those species in the Americas generally have much lower or zero levels, though they do contaim various other alkaloids. These American species often have a high reputation as a refreshing tonic tea that promotes kidney and urinary tract health[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is valuable for restoring vegetation structure and diversity and for erosion control on disturbed lands, including roadsides, minelands, and degraded rangelands, in areas in which it is adapted. When competition is controlled, it establishes well from seed and persists after wilfire. It provides important winter forage for wildlife[].

Other Uses

The twigs, boiled with alum, produce a light tan dye[].
The burnt stems provide a good quality charcoal for tattooing. The charcoal is mashed, a little water added and a design made with it on the skin[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[]. It can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in a sandy compost[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in the spring or early summer after the last expected frosts and give some protection in their first winter[].
Division in spring or autumn[].
Layering.