User:Wkraft33/new sandbox

 Wkraft33 (talk) 14:27, 4 October 2018 (UTC)Edits for project-to be proofed before submittalWkraft33 (talk) 14:27, 4 October 2018 (UTC) 

Ephedra cutleri
Ephedra cutleri, the Navajo ephedra or Cutler's jointfir, is a species of Ephedra that is native to the Southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Nevada,

Wyoming).

Description
The rhizomatous shrubs form erect clumps, .25 - 1.5 m tall and 3 - 5 m wide. It grows on flat and dry sandy areas, and occasionally on rocky slopes. Anchored by the rhizomes and an advantageous root system, Ephedra cutleri leaves grow in an opposite orientation but can not sustain all growth. Because the leaves are too small to perform photosynthesis, it is conducted in the sticky stems of the plant.

Cultivation
In one study, E. cutleri was the major plant found in Northeastern Arizona where dry, loamy, fine sand surfaced layers of Sheppard series soils dominate and form coppice dunes due their strong rhizomes.

Uses
A food source for animals, there are differing views as to whether the plant has any medicinal properties for humans with the exception of brewing Mormon tea. Another source indicated the stems contain ephedrine which can be used to treat respiratory symptoms.

Taxonomy
The plant was originally described by Robert Hibbs Peebles in 1940. It was placed in section ''Ephedra sect. Asarca''.

Distribution
USA (AZ, CO, NM, UT, WY)

Wetland Indicator
Not determined