Menu
+ Add
California Native Plant

Ephedra californica

Desert tea, CA ephedra

Plant photo of: Ephedra californica
Previous Photo      Next Photo
Information by: PlantMaster        Photographer: 2. gymnosperms.org

 

Description

This unusual looking shrub appears to be leafless. Leaf stems are gray green when new, changing to yellow gray with maturity. Tiny leaves grow at the nodes. This plant may reach 3' tall and 4-'5' wide. This plant is found in desert areas of AZ, So. CA and Baja CA. Many folks put the twigs in boiling water to make a medicinal tea. This plant prefers full sun, well draining and sandy soil. It is drought tolerant once it's established.

 

Plant Type

Shrub

Height Range

1-3'

Width Range

3-6'

Flower Color

n/a

Flower Season

n/a

Leaf Color

Yellow Green, Grey, Yellow

Bark Color

n/a

Fruit Color

n/a

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

Water

Very Low

Growth Rate

Moderate

Soil Type

Sandy, Rocky

Soil Condition

Well-drained, Dry

Soil pH

Neutral

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

Accenting Features

Unusual Foliage

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Location Uses

Patio, Park, Parking Lot, Raised Planter, Roadside, With Rocks

Special Uses

Cascade, Container, Medicinal

Attracts Wildlife

Birds

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.