Ephedra viridis

Species category

Revegetation or Rangeland, Shrub or Tree

Common name

mormon tea

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.

Shape

ObovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.
with one flat side

Size

  • Length 6 mm
  • Width 3 mm
  • Thickness 3 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

Smooth with faint longitudinal lines

Other structures

ApicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
rim and a longitudinal flat surface

Identification notes

AcheneAchene:
A dry, hard, one-chambered, one-seeded indehiscent fruit, as in buckwheat (Fagopyrum) or sunflower (Helianthus). The fruit wall is not united with the seed coat.
is mostly circular in cross section, except for the flat surface.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Ephedraceae

Valid name

Ephedra viridis Coville

 Ephedra viridis.  Achenes with an apical rim and a longitudinal flat surface. 
Ephedra viridis. Achenes with an apical rim and a longitudinal flat surface.