Practical
Plants

Ephedra viridis

Mormon Tea

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Ephedra genus in the family Ephedraceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Ephedra
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.8 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw. A sweet flavour. Seed - cooked. A bitter flavour, it is roasted and ground into a powder and used to make a bread or mush[2]. A delicious tea is made by steeping the green or dried twigs in boiling water[2][7]. The flavour is said to be improved if the stems are roasted first[2].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Seed
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This plant has a wide reputation as a cure for syphilis[4]. A strong decoction of the stems was drunk and a poultice of the pulverized or boiled stems applied to the sores[7]. The stems are blood purifier, diuretic and tonic[7]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of coughs and colds, anaemia, rheumatism, stomach ulcers and other disorders, kidney problems[7]. The dried, powdered stems are used as a dressing on sores and burns[7]. The stems of most members of this genus contain the alkaloid ephedrine and are valuable in the treatment of asthma and many other complaints of the respiratory system[K]. The whole plant can be used at much lower concentrations than the isolated constituents - unlike using the isolated ephedrine, using the whole plant rarely gives rise to side-effects[6]. Ephedra does not cure asthma but in many cases it is very effective in treating the symptoms and thus making life somewhat easier for the sufferer. The stems can be used fresh or dried and are usually made into a tea, though they can also be eaten raw[K]. The young stems are best if eating them raw, though older stems can be used if a tea is made[K]. The stems can be harvested at any time of the year and are dried for later use[5].

Product or use
Blood purifier
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
VD

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The twigs, boiled with alum, produce a light tan dye[7].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California to Colorado and Arizona.
Habitat
Dry rocky slopes, gravel terraces and canyon walls, often on limestone, at elevations of 800 - 2500 metres[8].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[3]. 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[5]. Layering.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position[1]. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant[3]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it succeeds well in a cold greenhouse but is often killed outdoors by a combination of cold and wet conditions[3]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed is required.

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Whiting. A. F. Ethnobotany of the Hopi North Arizona Society of Science and Art 1939-00-00

    ↩

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  6. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  7. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  8. Flora of N. America http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/

    ↩

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