 DESCRIPTION:
Shrub to 4'. Stems green to yellowish-green, divided into different joint
segments. Dioecious. Flowers small , brownish-yellow, in conelike clusters.
Leaves, when present, are scalelike. Ephedraceae (Joint-Fir) Family.
NATURAL HISTORY: Flowers bloom in spring. There are about 8 species in
Arizona. Dried stems may be steeped to make a bitter-tasting tea (thus
the common name of Mormon Tea). The stems contain caffeine and ephedrine
(stimulants). Pseudoephedrine is a similar compound to ephedrine that
is produced synthetically and is used in commercial cold medicines. |
