This small shrub has woody spreading stems that form a compact rounded habit. It has tiny scale leaves that are not commonly seen and the green branchlets are needle-like. The small yellowish flowers appear during summer followed by cones.

Hardiness zones 5 to 9

Ephedra gerardianais naturally found from China to the Himalayas growing in very well drained poor sandy to gravelly soils in a open sunny position and is drought and frost resistant.

Joint-fur is a hardy shrub that is grown in arid or roof gardens as a low filler or hedging plant. It is also grown as a container specimen and as a spill over in large rockeries and is suitable for coastal and mountainous regions. It establishes from division in 2 to 3 years and is fast growing requiring little maintenance. ID 1275

Ephedra(eh-FED-ruh) gerardiana (ger-are-DE-ana)

Epacridaceae(ee-PAK-rid-AY-see-ee)