Big-Joint Fir
Author: Ray Bowers

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Species: Ephedra trifurca

Description:
Ephedra tirfurca is the largest joint–fir at about 4 m (13,1 ft) in height. It is a perennial woody broom-like shrub with thin evergreen stems. It has three 9.0mm (0.4 in) tan papery scale-like leaves that are found at each joint. The terminal buds are spine-like and persistent.

Geographic range:
E. trifurca is found from western Arizona to western Texas, and south into Mexico. It is found in the southern third of New Mexico.

Habitat:
E. trifurca occurs in dry prairies and deserts with well drained sandy or rocky soils. They are found from 1,220 to 1,830 m (4,000 to 6,000 ft) in elevation.

Reproduction and Development:
E. trifurca is dioecious, with the lightweight pollen from the male plant blown by the wind to the female plant from February to April. The reproductive cones are sessile at nodes or joint of the stems. The seeds are flat and surrounded by the scale of the female cone.

• The stems can be boiled to produce a tea, which can be used for treating asthma and hay fever. The stems and roots contain a chemical called ephedrine, which dilates the small bronchial tubes of the lungs.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pinophyta
Class:Gnetopsida
Order: Gentales
Family: Ephedraceae
Genus: Ephedra
Species: Ephedra trifurca

Female Plant

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Male Plant

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References:
Allred, Kelly W. 2000. A Field Guide to the Flora of the Jornada Plain. Las Cruces: NMSU Department of Animal and Range Science.

Bowers, Janice E. 1993. Shrubs and Trees of the Southwest Desert. Tucson, AZ: Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.

Carter, Jack L. 1997. Trees and Shrubs of New Mexico. Silver City, NM: Mimbres Publishing.

Ivey, Robert D. 1995. Flowering Plants of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: by author.

MacMahon, James A. 1987. Deserts. New York : Alfred A. Knoph, Inc.

Wooton, E.O. and Paul C. Standley. 1915. Flora of New Mexico. Contributions from the United States National Herbarium, Vol 19. Washington: Government Printing Office.

Related Terms: Mormon Tea, Popotillo