Ephedra californica is a species of Ephedra, known by the common names California jointfir, California ephedra, desert tea, Mormon tea, and cañatillo.
Distribution The plant is native to many diverse areas of central and southern California, Baja California, and west Arizona. It grows in varied scrub and open habitats, including chaparral, arid grassland, and Creosote scrub.Jepson . accessed 1.10.2013 It is found at elevations from .Flora of North America . accessed 1.10.2013
Regions and landforms of distribution include: Mojave Desert Sonoran Desert Colorado Desert Peninsular Ranges Transverse Ranges Tehachapi Mountains Southern Sierra Nevada foothills San Joaquin Valley South California Coast Ranges Channel Islands Southern California coastal basins (undeveloped habitats)
Habitats include: California chaparral and woodlands California coastal sage and chaparral ecoregion California montane chaparral and woodlands ecoregion California interior chaparral and woodlands
Description Ephedra californica is a spindly shrub made up of twigs which are greenish when new and age to a yellowish-gray color and have fine longitudinal grooves on their surfaces. The bark becomes gray-brown, and irregularly fissured and cracked. It grows in height, with similar spread.
The tiny leaves grow at nodes on the twigs and dry in drought, to crumble away to leave brownish ridges there. Male plants produce clumps of pollen cones at the nodes and female plants produce egg-shaped seed cones each about long, May to June.
Native American uses Ephedra californica was used by the indigenous peoples of California as a medicinal plant, culinary ingredient, and for making tools. Tribal people using it included the Kumeyaay—Diegueño and Kawaiisu of present-day Southern California.University of Michigan - Dearborn: Native American Ethnobotany — Ephedra californica . accessed 1.10.2013 The branches of the Ephedra californica were frequently brewed for its medicinal properties. The Kumeyaay used the tea of the Ephedra californica to cleanse the blood and kidneys and as an appetite suppressant.
References
External links
Jepson Manual Treatment: Ephedra californica (desert tea) Flora of North America @ efloras.org: Ephedra californica USDA Plants Profile — Ephedra californica (California jointfir) Ephedra californica — U.C. Photo gallery