Ephedra monosperma Gmelin ex C. A. Meyer. var. disperma Regel.

Subshrubs very small, to 8(-15) cm, lacking conspicuous, woody stems above ground, only with several woody basal branches 1-2 cm; main branches usually inconspicuous; branchlets clustered at nodes, radially arranged, slender and short, ca. 1 mm in diam., internodes 1-2(-3) cm, apex slightly curved. Leaves opposite, connate for 1/2-2/3 their length, apex acute or slightly blunt. Pollen cones usually solitary or 2 or 3 at nodes of branchlets, ellipsoid, 2-6 × 2-4 mm; bracts in 4-6(-8) pairs; staminal column exserted at apex, with 6 to 8 shortly stipitate anthers. Seed cones opposite at nodes or clustered at apex of branchlets, ovoid or broadly ovoid, ca. 5 × 3-4 mm at maturity; bracts usually in 3 pairs, apical pair connate for ca. 5/6 their length or more, red and fleshy at maturity; integument tube 1-1.5(-2.5) mm, straight. Seeds (1 or)2, glossy, narrowly ovoid, 3-4.5 × 1.5-2 mm, concealed by bracts. Pollination Apr-May, seed maturity Jul-Aug. 2n = 14*.

Rocky slopes, flood lands and sandy places; 700-3800 m. Xinjiang [Afghanistan, N India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan]