A bright green, erect shrub up to three feet tall, with numerous branches. The leaves are deciduous but the stems, green in summer, remain in place throughout winter and turn green-yellow. A gymnosperm, it produces cone-like structures. Paired, bristle-tipped leaves split and fall off early leaving a leafless, broom-like shrub. Pollen cones and seed cones occur on separate plants. Found on dry rocky soils, this plants requires full sun and excellent drainage. Drought tolerant with a very deep tap root. Green ephedra is browsed by big game, particularly in winter, less so in other seasons.