EPHEDRA VIRIDIS

FAMILY: GNETACEAE
MORMON TEA: This is the high-desert variety of ephedra from Nevada State in the USA. It contains tannin and a small quantity of ephedrine. This ephedra is slow growing but can become a small tree with decades of growth. It is a very primitive plant without apparent leaves. It’s hardy and prefers dry, alkaline soil. Adaptable. Reports that this species are too low in ephedrine to be useful are probably due to the plant being harvested incorrectly: the alkaloid content of all ephedra plants peaks in the fall just before the onset of winter.