Common Names: Mormon Tea, Arizona Joint-Fir, Desert Mormon Tea, Arizona Ephedra.
Habitat: Found in the deserts of west and central Arizona, as well as in Utah, Nevada, and California. According to the USDA, this species has not been documented in Coconino, Navajo, Apache, Yavapai, or Pima counties.
Flowers: Like all members of the Ephedraceae, E. fasciculata does not bloom, it is a conifer. Its cones are often mistaken for flowers, which are small and yellow-brown. These occur at the joints between "leaf" segments.
Description: Like all joint-firs, the needles of E. fasciculata are long and narrow, connected by joints, resulting in a spiky appearance. These plants are able to absorb water quite rapidly, and often appear a vibrant green after a rainstorm. Their root system is broad but often not terribly deep.
Comments: One of several types of Mormon Tea found in the southwest.