Mormon tea, Mexican tea, Torrey’s joint fir
| Botanical Name | Ephedra torreyana |
| Common Name | Mormon tea, Mexican tea, Torrey's joint fir |
| Family | Ephedraceae –Joint fir |
| Description | This is a low-growing, perennial, native shrub. There are 3 tiny leaves whorled around each growth node. The stems are yellowish-green. It is jointed looking—rather rigid and wiry. Both the male and female plants bear cones. |
| Mature Size | 1'-2' x 2'-4' |
| Bloom | It does not have true flowers but instead produces spores in yellow, cone-like structures in early spring. |
| Interesting Facts | Thousands of years ago the Chinese people realized that some species of Ephedra had medicinal properties for treating respiratory ailments. It is now synthetically produced. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses | Ephedra torreyana has been extensively used by the natives and non-natives of the western states, especially the people of the Mormon faith, for making a pleasant tasting tea. Natives roasted the seeds and ate them whole or ground them into a meal or flour for bread. Navajos used this plant for treating stomach pains, diarrhea, congestion, bladder and kidney problems, fever and syphilis. One source of information says it used to be standard fare in the waiting rooms of “houses” of Nevada and California. E. torreyana has also been used with other plants for tanning hides. |
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Photos by Janice Tucker for SFBG
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