Ephedra may be found further east in dry areas where it has escaped cultivation. An evergreen shrub growing 2 to 3 feet high with no leaves.
Stems are green, smooth, woody, branching, and very jointed.
Small yellow-green buds appear in the joints when in bloom. Gather stems anytime and dry for later use. The fruit or buds are eaten raw and have a very mild sweet taste. The seed is roasted and used as coffee or ground into a meal for bread. The stems of most Ephedra species contain the alkaloid ephedrine which is very valuable in the treatment of asthma and many other respiratory complaints.