Ephedra nevadensis
Nevada ephedra
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Ephedraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ephedra nevadensis (Nevada ephedra) is a native California shrub in the Ephedraceae family, recognized by . Key features: round cones, 2 bracts fused at base, long stalks, glaucous twigs.
Nevada ephedra is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada, Tehachapi Range, southern Sierra Nevada east, and desert regions in creosote-bush scrub and Joshua-tree woodland at elevations below 1,100 meters. Its pale green twigs age from a glaucous green to yellow or gray, creating a distinctive branching structure. Growing 0.3 to 1.5 meters tall with slender, segmented branches, this plant has small gray deciduous leaves in clusters of two to three at each node. Its leaves are tiny, measuring 2 to 6 millimeters long, with a characteristic gray base that falls away seasonally. The plant produces small reproductive cones with broad-ovate bracts that have translucent yellow margins, creating delicate structural elements across its branching form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species. Key features: round cones, 2 bracts fused at base, long stalks, glaucous twigs
Habitat and range
Habitat: Creosote-bush scrub, Joshua-tree woodland
Elevation: < 1100 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Riverside, Mono, Imperial, San Diego, Tulare, Ventura, Lassen
Outside California: to Oregon, Utah, Arizona, 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 nevadensis native to California?
Yes. Ephedra nevadensis is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ephedra nevadensis grow?
Ephedra nevadensis occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Inyo, Kern, Riverside, Mono, Imperial, San Diego and other counties, at elevations of < 1100 m.
What plant family does Ephedra nevadensis belong to?
Ephedra nevadensis is in the Ephedraceae family, genus Ephedra.
What habitat does Ephedra nevadensis grow in?
Ephedra nevadensis grows in Creosote-bush scrub, Joshua-tree woodland.
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.