Ephedra
californica has a vertical linearity that could make this medium sized
shrub fit into an ornamental grass garden as easily as a succulent or
drought tolerant garden. The gray-green leaves provide a matte
contrast to the cone-like clusters of flowers at the joint. Ephedra
californica blooms from early Spring into early Summer. Desert tea
grows to 3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. Ephedra has been used
medicinally, care should be taken in its use as it can easily be
overdone. Ephedra californica grows on a variety of soil types in
the grassland and chaparral throughout Southern California up to 3000 feet
elevation.
High resolution images of
Ephedra californica are available
