DESERT TEA
Ephedra viridis This joint fir is called by many names; Indian tea, Mormon tea and desert tea. The long-jointed stems have at the nodes, small, scale-like papery leaves arranged in 2’s which dry up soon after appearing on the young tender branches. Male and female flowers are found on separate plants. The female cones consist of greenish, thickened scales. A tea can be made with the stems.
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