The well known plant
sometimes called Mormon Tea grows well in higher elevations throughout
Southern Nevada. Mormons distained beverages with caffeine in them and would
boil a handful of the stems to make a tea.
Local Native American used it for stomach and bowel disorders, among
other things.
Generally it is classified as Ephedra viridis, 'Green Ephedra'. I have seen an
'Ephedra nevadensis' and if this is a widely recognized species, then
properly, these would be Ephedra nevadensis. Does that matter? It may seem
trivial however identifying it as a species limited to an area makes it easier
to protect that area under the Endangered Species Act. Or at least that's why
I would think it was important.
It is associated with all but the most extreme ecosystems. For example Mormon
Tea plants seem to like growing in Red Rock Canyon as they look the healthiest
there. In hikes along Pine
Creek in Red Rock, the plants grow up to 4 feet and have a distinct
kind of green to their stems. Perhaps the Red Rock variety is unique. It has
been noticed that in the Valley of Fire and in Red Rock Canyon, the red iron
filled soil tends to give the plants that live in it a 'richer' green color.
This plant does not grow leaves as such and seems to exist in its stems. In
some places such as the Desert
National Wildlife Refuge, the stems are 'woodier' and less
succulent compared to plants found in Red Rock Canyon.
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