The Jointfir Family East of the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and Washington

The jointfirs or ephedras are low, seemingly leafless shrubs. They are found in warm, arid climates in western Northa and South America, China, and the Mediterranean area. They are closely related to the pines, cycads, and ginkgos, but also show a strong relationship to the higher flowering plants due to their stem structure. The stems are fluted and long-jointed, with small, papery, scale-like leaves which are papery. These leaves are arranged in two's and three's and soon drop off the young branches to help conserve water.

The male and female cones or blossoms are found on separate plants. The male flowers consist as catkins or cones with noticeable, protruding, yellowish stamens. The female flowers consist of cones with less showy greenish, papery to thickened scales. On the female cone, the lower scales are sterile, while the upper are fertile.

The stems contain tannins, which were used for various remedies by southwestern Indians and settlers. The stems were boiled for use as a remedy for intestinal ailments, or as a delicios beverage. The large black seeds were sometimes roasted and eaten.

Green Ephedra, Green Mormon Tea, Indian Tea: Ephedra viridis (Synonym: Ephedra viridis var. viridis) - Young twigs brigth green to yellow-green when young. Leaf base brown.