Ephedra californica
Desert tea, Desert Tea
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Ephedraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ephedra californica (Desert tea) is a native California shrub in the Ephedraceae family, recognized by . Key features: 3 leaves per node, 3 free bracts, orange/yellow bract centers.
Desert tea is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada foothills, Tehachapi, western San Joaquin Valley, south coastal ranges, southwestern California, and desert regions in arid grassland, chaparral, and creosote-bush scrub at elevations of 70 to 1,300 meters. Its stems are distinctive yellow-green to gray-brown, growing 0.3 to 1.5 meters tall with multiple branching twigs. This shrub has small white-margined leaves arranged three per node, which become recurved and slightly swollen with age. Its leaves are diminutive, measuring 2 to 6 millimeters long, with white margins that gradually wear away. The plant produces seed cones 4.5 to 8 millimeters long, with ovate bracts that have translucent, scarious margins and an orange or green-yellow center.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species. Key features: 3 leaves per node, 3 free bracts, orange/yellow bract centers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Scattered in arid grassland, chaparral, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: 70-1300 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Fresno, San Benito, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Lassen, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Merced, Santa Clara, Tulare, Orange
Outside California: Baja California
How to tell it apart
vs Thamnosma: Ephedra has obvious joints on green stems; Thamnosma stems are smooth without joints.; vs Senna: Ephedra has tiny scale leaves that fall off; Senna has compound leaves with paired leaflets.; vs Lepidospartum: Ephedra stems have distinct joints at regular intervals; Lepidospartum stems are smooth and rush-like.; vs Spartium: Ephedra has jointed stems with nodes; Spartium has smooth, ridged stems and pea flowers.; vs Ericameria: Ephedra has obvious stem joints and scale leaves; Ericameria has narrow but normal leaves and daisy flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ephedra californica native to California?
Yes. Ephedra californica is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ephedra californica grow?
Ephedra californica occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Fresno, San Benito, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Lassen and other counties, at elevations of 70-1300 m.
What plant family does Ephedra californica belong to?
Ephedra californica is in the Ephedraceae family, genus Ephedra.
What habitat does Ephedra californica grow in?
Ephedra californica grows in Scattered in arid grassland, chaparral, creosote-bush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.