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Mormon Tea
The large group of green plants near the post having been stands and apparently no leaves are Mormon tea (Ephedra nevadensis). In the spring they do have insignificant leaves. The male plant will have orange stamen-like growths from the nodules while the female plant will produce small green cones. The local Native American Indian, the Kitanemuk, use the plant to make a tea which was used to cure upper respiratory problems. They would also place bunches of the plant in springs to sweeten the water.
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