[3] Regions and landforms of distribution include:[2] Habitats include: Ephedra californica is a spindly shrub made up of twigs which are greenish when new and age to a yellowish-gray color and have fine longitudinal grooves on their surfaces.

[3] Ephedra californica was used by the indigenous peoples of California as a medicinal plant, culinary ingredient, and for making tools.

Tribal people using it included the Kumeyaay—Diegueño and Kawaiisu of present-day Southern California.

[4] The branches of the Ephedra californica were frequently brewed for its medicinal properties.

The Kumeyaay used the tea of the Ephedra californica to cleanse the blood and kidneys and as an appetite suppressant.