Ephedra fasciculata

A. Nelson

Amer. J. Bot. 21: 573. 1934.

Common names: Fasciculate ephedra
Endemic
Synonyms: Ephedra clokeyi Cutler Ephedra fasciculata var. clokeyi (Cutler) Clokey
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 2.

Shrubs erect or prostrate, 0.5–1 m. Bark gray, cracked and fissured. Branches opposite or whorled, rigid, angle of divergence about 30°. Twigs pale green, becoming yellow with age, not viscid, usually smooth or very slightly scabrous, with numerous longitudinal grooves; internodes 1–5 cm. Terminal buds conic, 1–3 mm, apex obtuse. Leaves opposite, 1–3 mm, connate to 1/2–3/4 their length; bases membranous, brown, shredding and becoming gray with age, ± persistent; apex obtuse. Pollen cones 2–several at node, ellipsoid to obovoid, 4–8 mm, sessile; bracts opposite, 4–8 pairs, light yellow, obovate, 2–3 × 2 mm, membranous, slightly connate at base; bracteoles exceeding bracts; sporangiophores 3–9 mm, 1/4–3/4 exserted, with 6–10 sessile to short-stalked (less than 1 mm) microsporangia. Seed cones 2–several at node, obovoid to ellipsoid, 6–13 mm, sessile or on short peduncles; bracts opposite, 4–7 pairs, elliptic, 3–7 × 2–4 mm, membranous with light brown to green, thickened center and base, slightly connate at base, margins entire. Seeds 1(–2), ellipsoid, 5–12 × 3–5 mm, light brown, longitudinally furrowed.


Phenology: Coning March–April.
Habitat: Dry rocky slopes, washes, and sandy areas
Elevation: 300–1200 m

Distribution

V2 388-distribution-map.gif

Ariz., Calif., Nev., Utah.

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.