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G.A. Cooper @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database |
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| Steven Perkins @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database |
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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Ephedra trifurca is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft 7in). It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to May. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Tea
A tea is made from the branches[177]. Fruit - raw or cooked.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Diuretic Kidney Poultice Stomachic VD
The dried and crushed stems are diuretic[238].An infusion has been used in the treatment of venereal disease, stomach complaints and kidney problems[257]. The pulverized or boiled stems were also applied externally as a poultice on syphilitic sores by some native North American Indians[213]. They can also be used as a poultice on other skin sores[257]. Unlike many members of the genus, this species is not very rich in the alkaloid ephedrine and so is not used in the treatment of asthma[238].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of this country. It hybridises in the wild with other members of the genus. In particular, it hybridises with E. torreyana to form E . × intermixta. This hybrid occurs in a small area of southwestern New Mexico (near Engle, Sierra County) within the zone of sympatry of the two parental species; it may be fertile (mature seeds are formed). It is intermediate in most characters but can be identified by its combination of the spinelike terminal buds of E . trifurca and the scabrous, light yellow seeds of E . torreyana[270].The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position[1, 11]. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant[200]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown in fruit and seed are required.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[200]. It can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in a sandy compost[K]. 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[K]. Division in spring or autumn[238]. Layering.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (New Mexico (south), Texas, Arizona (south), California (southeast)), Mexico (Baja California (Norte), Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Sonora (north))
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Ephedra altissima | High-climbing jointfir | Shrub | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 3 | |
| Ephedra americana andina | | Shrub | 1.8 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Ephedra ciliata | | Shrub | 0.2 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 3 | |
| Ephedra distachya | Sea Grape, Jointfir | Shrub | 1.0 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Ephedra equisetina | Muzei Ma Huang, Ma huang | Shrub | 1.5 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 4 | |
| Ephedra fragilis | | Shrub | 1.8 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 4 | |
| Ephedra gerardiana | Ma Huang, Gerard jointfir | Shrub | 0.6 |
6-9
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Ephedra intermedia | Zhong Ma Huang | Shrub | 1.0 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 4 | |
| Ephedra major | Ma Huang | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 4 | |
| Ephedra nevadensis | Mormon Tea, Nevada jointfir | Shrub | 1.2 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Ephedra pachyclada | | Shrub | 0.0 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 3 | |
| Ephedra sinica | Ma Huang, Chinese ephedra | Shrub | 0.4 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 4 | |
| Ephedra torreyana | Mexican Tea, Torrey's jointfir | Shrub | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 3 | |
| Ephedra triandra | | Shrub | 0.0 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 3 | |
| Ephedra viridis | Mormon Tea, Brigham Tea, Long Leaf Ephedra, Mountain Joint Fir, Mormon Tea, Ephedra | Shrub | 1.8 |
6-11
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 3 | 1 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Torr.
Botanical References
171270
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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Subject : Ephedra trifurca
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