Shrubs erect, 0.25–1.5 m. Bark gray, fissured. Branches alternate or whorled, rigid, angle of divergence about 45°. Twigs pale green, becoming yellow with age, not viscid, glaucous, with numerous longitudinal grooves; internodes 1–6 cm. Terminal buds conic, 1–3 mm, apex obtuse. Leaves opposite (rarely in whorls of 3), 2–4 (–8) mm, connate to 1/2–3/4 their length; bases thickened, brown, completely deciduous; apex obtuse. Pollen cones 1–several at node, ellipsoid, 4–8 mm, sessile or on short peduncles with 2 pairs of basal bracts; bracts opposite, 5–9 pairs, yellow to light-brown, obovate, 3–4 × 2–3 mm, membranous; bracteoles slightly exceeding bracts; sporangiophores 3–5 mm, exserted to 1/4–1/2 their length, with 6–9 sessile to short-stalked (less than 1 mm) microsporangia. Seed-cones 1–several at node, nearly globose, 5–11 mm, on long peduncles, with 1–2 pairs of basal bracts; bracts opposite, 3–5 pairs, nearly circular, 4–8 × 3–6 mm, herbaceous, with light-brown to yellow-green center, occasionally pinkish tinged, margins entire. Seeds (1–) 2, ellipsoid, 6–9 × 2–4 mm, brown, smooth. 2n = 14, 28.

Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes and hills, rarely in sandy flat areas
Elevation: 700–1900 m

Distribution

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Ariz., Calif., Nev., Oreg., Utah.

Discussion

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.