Mormon Tea Exhibit, Desert Foothills Scenic Drive, 1995

Mormon Tea

Mormon pioneers in Arizona used the dried stems of this plant to make tea. Also known as longleaf ephedra, desert jointfir, desert ephedra, popotilla, teposote, canatilla and long-leaved joinfir. A member of the Joint-fir Family.

• As perennial shrub that usually grows to 3′ to 4′ in height. There are taller specimens in the vicinity of the Scenic Drive.
• Blooms during the months of February and March with tiny, pale yellow clusters of flowers. It has male and female flowers on separate plants.
• The roots of Mormon Tea help bind the soil. Native Americans use the plant to treat various types of diseases.