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Joint-pines (Ephedra)
Also known as : Mormon-teas, Brigham teas
Native to much of the Northern hemisphere and South America, joint-pines are slender shrubs that are drought tolerant, and so are often cultivated for rock gardens or borders. Some species have been reported as toxic to dogs.
Lifespan
Perennial
Key Facts About Joint-pines
Feedback
Attributes of Joint-pines
Leaf type
Evergreen
Scientific Classification of Joint-pines
Distribution of Joint-pines
Feedback
Distribution Map of Joint-pines
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Joint-pines
Feedback
The joint-pines genus is a unique group of gymnosperms, able to withstand quite tough conditions. The basic care revolves around full sun exposure, low-to-average water needs, and well-drained, sandy soil. It thrives in warm temperatures above freezing. Challenges include infestation by pests like aphids and susceptibility to root rot if overwatered. Seasonally, these desert plants require lesser watering in cooler months and can benefit from a luminary shield in scorching summers to prevent sunscald.
Exploring the Joint-pines Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Chinese ephedra
The ephedra of China is a shrub resembling horsetail being native to China where its denomination comes from. It is the most important of the ephedra varieties being used for millennia. It is a small shrub 20 to 40 cm tall with articulated light green branches. The leaves are small, scaly, opposite and are joined by their base.
Sea grape
Sea grape was once feared to be extinct but was rediscovered in Slovakia before World War II. That knowledge was almost lost when the discoverer died in a concentration camp, but locals helped scientists rediscover it. The shrub is believed by some to be the "soma" of Hindu and Zoroastrian texts.
Green Ephedra
Green Ephedra is indigenous to drought-prone areas of the western United States. The green Ephedra can be toxic, so it shouldn't be ingested without first consulting an expert. It is also toxic to most livestock, although many large wild animals eat it regularly.
Nevada ephedra
Nevada ephedra (Ephedra nevadensis) is a perennial evergreen shrub native to the southwestern United States. It blooms in spring with small yellow flowers. Its leaves fall off quickly, leaving the stemmy bush looking like a broom. Nevada ephedra produces seeds at sporadic intervals that spread easily and feed the local wildlife.
Joint pine
Joint pine is a sun-loving, tall evergreen shrub that is not very frost-hardy. This is a drought and lime-tolerant plant with pungent stems. Joint pine is used in flower beds when cultivated. Its seeds have wings, which are spread by the wind and occasionally insects.
Torrey's jointfir
Torrey's jointfir (Ephedra torreyana) is a perennial shrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It thrives in dry, sandy, or gravelly ground, and does not produce seeds but instead propagates itself through the spores contained in its cones.
Gerard jointfir
Gerard jointfir is a resilient shrub characteristically found in the arid mountainous regions of Asia. Its jointed green to yellow-green stems are leafless and, upon closer inspection, resemble miniature horsetails. This wiry plant adapts to harsh environments with small, scale-like leaves that minimize water loss, and it produces inconspicuous cones that carry its seeds. Gerard jointfir is also known for its traditional medicinal uses, particularly in treating respiratory ailments.
Longleaf jointfir
Longleaf jointfir (Ephedra trifurca) is a shrub found only in the desert region of northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It grows in sandy and gravely soils such as those found in dried creek beds and scrubby desert. It needs plenty of direct sunlight. The nuts are eaten by quail and some other small birds.
All Species of Joint-pines
Chinese ephedra
Chinese ephedra
The ephedra of China is a shrub resembling horsetail being native to China where its denomination comes from. It is the most important of the ephedra varieties being used for millennia. It is a small shrub 20 to 40 cm tall with articulated light green branches. The leaves are small, scaly, opposite and are joined by their base.
Sea grape
Sea grape
Sea grape was once feared to be extinct but was rediscovered in Slovakia before World War II. That knowledge was almost lost when the discoverer died in a concentration camp, but locals helped scientists rediscover it. The shrub is believed by some to be the "soma" of Hindu and Zoroastrian texts.
Green Ephedra
Green Ephedra
Green Ephedra is indigenous to drought-prone areas of the western United States. The green Ephedra can be toxic, so it shouldn't be ingested without first consulting an expert. It is also toxic to most livestock, although many large wild animals eat it regularly.
Nevada ephedra
Nevada ephedra
Nevada ephedra (Ephedra nevadensis) is a perennial evergreen shrub native to the southwestern United States. It blooms in spring with small yellow flowers. Its leaves fall off quickly, leaving the stemmy bush looking like a broom. Nevada ephedra produces seeds at sporadic intervals that spread easily and feed the local wildlife.
Joint pine
Joint pine
Joint pine is a sun-loving, tall evergreen shrub that is not very frost-hardy. This is a drought and lime-tolerant plant with pungent stems. Joint pine is used in flower beds when cultivated. Its seeds have wings, which are spread by the wind and occasionally insects.
Torrey's jointfir
Torrey's jointfir
Torrey's jointfir (Ephedra torreyana) is a perennial shrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It thrives in dry, sandy, or gravelly ground, and does not produce seeds but instead propagates itself through the spores contained in its cones.
Gerard jointfir
Gerard jointfir
Gerard jointfir is a resilient shrub characteristically found in the arid mountainous regions of Asia. Its jointed green to yellow-green stems are leafless and, upon closer inspection, resemble miniature horsetails. This wiry plant adapts to harsh environments with small, scale-like leaves that minimize water loss, and it produces inconspicuous cones that carry its seeds. Gerard jointfir is also known for its traditional medicinal uses, particularly in treating respiratory ailments.
Longleaf jointfir
Longleaf jointfir
Longleaf jointfir (Ephedra trifurca) is a shrub found only in the desert region of northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It grows in sandy and gravely soils such as those found in dried creek beds and scrubby desert. It needs plenty of direct sunlight. The nuts are eaten by quail and some other small birds.
Bluestem joint fir
Bluestem joint fir
Bluestem joint fir is a colorful shrub frequently used as a foundation specimen and border plant. It stands out in any setting due to its blue stems, bright yellow blooms, and vibrant red berries. It naturally grows in mountainous, dry, rocky terrain.
Rough jointfir
Rough jointfir
Rough jointfir (Ephedra aspera) is a shrub that is native to the southwestern United States and parts of northern Mexico. It is a gymnosperm, meaning that it does not produce flowers but rather propagates itself through spores that are contained within cones. The plant has very small leaves and yellow-gold twigs.
Death valley jointfir
Death valley jointfir
The Ephedra funerea shrub is made up of erect twigs which are gray-green when new and age to gray and cracked. There are tiny leaves at nodes along the twigs. Male plants produce pollen cones at the nodes which are up to 8 millimeters long, and female plants produce seed cones which are slightly longer and may grow on stalks.
Ephedra monosperma
Ephedra monosperma
Ephedra monosperma is a hardy shrub with a distinctive jointed green stem that resembles a reed. Typically found in arid habitats, its small scale-like leaves adapt well to dry conditions. Ephedra monosperma produces solitary seeds housed within fleshy cones, making it a unique specimen among its peers. Its growth patterns reflect a resilience that enables it to thrive in challenging environments.
Clapweed
Clapweed
Clapweed (Ephedra antisyphilitica) is a small, shrubby plant with gray-green twigs. It lives in dry, scrubby territories, such as prairies and savannas, and consequently has an impressive tolerance for drought. Its reproductive structures are housed in spore-producing pollen cones, which appear in late winter and early spring.
Large sea grape
Large sea grape
Large sea grape is a shrubby desert plants sporting jointed green stems and tiny scale-like leaves, which help reduce water loss and tolerate harsh sunlight. Reddish-brown cones release winged seeds, leveraging the winds of its arid habitat for dispersal. This hardy plant thrives in sandy soils, embodying resilience and adaptation.
California jointfir
California jointfir
California jointfir is a drought-tolerant shrub native to the California deserts. Its jointed, green stems resemble bamboo, lacking conventional leaves, which minimizes water loss. Tiny, inconspicuous yellow cones serve as its reproductive structures, adapted for the arid climates. California jointfir's deep root system allows it to access water from underground sources, critical for survival in its harsh habitat.
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Joint-pines
Ephedra
Also known as: Mormon-teas, Brigham teas
Native to much of the Northern hemisphere and South America, joint-pines are slender shrubs that are drought tolerant, and so are often cultivated for rock gardens or borders. Some species have been reported as toxic to dogs.
Lifespan
Perennial
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Key Facts About Joint-pines
Feedback
Attributes of Joint-pines
Leaf type
Evergreen
Scientific Classification of Joint-pines
Distribution of Joint-pines
Feedback
Distribution Map of Joint-pines
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Joint-pines
Feedback
The joint-pines genus is a unique group of gymnosperms, able to withstand quite tough conditions. The basic care revolves around full sun exposure, low-to-average water needs, and well-drained, sandy soil. It thrives in warm temperatures above freezing. Challenges include infestation by pests like aphids and susceptibility to root rot if overwatered. Seasonally, these desert plants require lesser watering in cooler months and can benefit from a luminary shield in scorching summers to prevent sunscald.
Exploring the Joint-pines Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Chinese ephedra
The ephedra of China is a shrub resembling horsetail being native to China where its denomination comes from. It is the most important of the ephedra varieties being used for millennia. It is a small shrub 20 to 40 cm tall with articulated light green branches. The leaves are small, scaly, opposite and are joined by their base.
Sea grape
Sea grape was once feared to be extinct but was rediscovered in Slovakia before World War II. That knowledge was almost lost when the discoverer died in a concentration camp, but locals helped scientists rediscover it. The shrub is believed by some to be the "soma" of Hindu and Zoroastrian texts.
Green Ephedra
Green Ephedra is indigenous to drought-prone areas of the western United States. The green Ephedra can be toxic, so it shouldn't be ingested without first consulting an expert. It is also toxic to most livestock, although many large wild animals eat it regularly.
Nevada ephedra
Nevada ephedra (Ephedra nevadensis) is a perennial evergreen shrub native to the southwestern United States. It blooms in spring with small yellow flowers. Its leaves fall off quickly, leaving the stemmy bush looking like a broom. Nevada ephedra produces seeds at sporadic intervals that spread easily and feed the local wildlife.
Show More Species
All Species of Joint-pines
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
