Botanical Name: Ephedra viridis
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Common Name: Mormon Tea  
Plant photo of: Ephedra viridis
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Shrub

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

n/a

 

Flower Season

n/a

 

Leaf Color

Green

 

Bark Color

Green

 

Fruit Color

Brown

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full

 

Water

Very Low

 

Growth Rate

Slow

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Silhouette

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Summer

 

Location Uses

Shrub Border, Foundation, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Hedge, Mass Planting, Small Spaces

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Mountain States Nursery

  • Description

  • Notes

Ephedra is a Utah native, with an upright to open growth habit, growing 2 to 4 feet tall and wide. Bark is bright green and is the plants most obvious characteristic. Leaves are very small and nearly inconspicuous. It does not techically have flowers, but does have inconspicuous cones. Provides an interesting structure and texture in the garden.
Grow in well drained, sandy to gravelly soils in full sun. Can survive after establishment without suplemental water, but will not survive wet soils. Frost tolerant to -10 F.