Ephedra viridis

Coville

Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 4: 220. 1893.

Common names: Green ephedra
Endemic
Synonyms: Ephedra nevadensis var. pluribracteata Palmer ex Stapf Ephedra nevadensis var. viridis (Coville) M. E. Jones
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 2.

Shrubs erect, 0.5–1 m. Bark gray, cracked and irregularly fissured. Branches alternate or whorled, rigid, angle of divergence about 30°. Twigs bright green to yellow-green, becoming yellow with age, not viscid, ridges between longitudinal grooves barely papillate, smooth; internodes 1–5 cm. Terminal buds conic, 1–2 mm, apex obtuse. Leaves opposite, 2–5 mm, connate to 1/2–3/4 their length, not photosynthetic; bases thickened, brown, persistent, becoming hard, enlarged, and black; apex setaceous. Pollen cones 2–several at node, obovoid, 5–7 mm, sessile; bracts opposite, 6–10 pairs, light yellow and slightly reddened, ovate, 2–4 × 2–3 mm, membranous, slightly connate at base; bracteoles slightly exceeding bracts; sporangiophores 2–4 mm, 1/4–1/2 exserted, with 5–8 sessile to nearly sessile microsporangia. Seed cones 2–several at node, obovoid, 6–10 mm, sessile or on short, scaly peduncles; bracts opposite, 4–8 pairs, ovate, 4–7 × 2–4 mm, membranous or papery, with yellow center and base, margins entire. Seeds 2, ellipsoid, 5–8 × 2–4 mm, light brown to brown, smooth. 2n = 28.


Phenology: Coning spring.
Habitat: Dry rocky slopes and canyon walls
Elevation: 800–2500 m

Distribution

V2 506-distribution-map.gif

Ariz., Calif., Colo., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Utah, Wyo.

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Ephedra viridis"
Dennis Wm. Stevenson +
Coville +
Green ephedra +
Ariz. +, Calif. +, Colo. +, Nev. +, N.Mex. +, Oreg. +, Utah +  and Wyo. +
800–2500 m +
Dry rocky slopes and canyon walls +
Coning spring. +
Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. +
Ephedra nevadensis var. pluribracteata +  and Ephedra nevadensis var. viridis +
Ephedra viridis +
species +