Ephedraceae

The Ephedraceae family contains the single genus Ephedra, which includes about 65 species of gymnosperm shrubs. These plants are found in dry regions across both hemispheres. Ephedra species are typically low-growing, straggling, or climbing desert shrubs with small, scalelike leaves. Photosynthesis primarily occurs in their green stems, an adaptation to reduce water loss.1

Some Asian Ephedra species, like Ephedra sinica (ma huang), are known for the drug ephedrine, historically used in traditional Chinese medicine as a decongestant. North American species are often called joint firs or Mormon tea, and their stems have been used to make a tea-like beverage. The Ephedraceae family is part of the Gnetophyta division, a small group of gymnosperm vascular plants.12