Ephedra trifurca
Longleaf ephedra
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Ephedraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Ephedra trifurca (Longleaf ephedra) is a native California shrub in the Ephedraceae family, recognized by . Key features: long spine-tipped leaves, thorn-like buds, very elongated beaked seeds.
Longleaf ephedra is a native shrub found in the Mojave Desert (Bioregion D) in creosote-bush scrub, sandy washes, flats, and stabilized dunes at elevations from 30 meters below sea level to 2,100 meters. Its pale green twigs age to yellow or gray-green, with distinctive thorn-like buds at the tips, creating an architectural branching structure. Growing 0.4 to 2 meters tall with an upright form, the plant develops slender stems with distinctive gray, fibrous leaf sheaths. Its leaves are arranged in whorls of three, each 7 to 15 millimeters long with spine-like tips, creating a delicate, structured appearance. The plant produces distinctive seed cones 10 to 14 millimeters long with papery, translucent bracts that have reddish-brown centers.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species. Key features: long spine-tipped leaves, thorn-like buds, very elongated beaked seeds
Habitat and range
Habitat: Creosote-bush scrub, sandy washes, flats, stabilized dunes
Elevation: -30-2100 m
California counties: Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Inyo
Outside California: to Texas, Mexico
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 trifurca native to California?
Yes. Ephedra trifurca is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Ephedra trifurca grow?
Ephedra trifurca occurs in Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Inyo, at elevations of -30-2100 m.
What plant family does Ephedra trifurca belong to?
Ephedra trifurca is in the Ephedraceae family, genus Ephedra.
What habitat does Ephedra trifurca grow in?
Ephedra trifurca grows in Creosote-bush scrub, sandy washes, flats, stabilized dunes.
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.