The internodal vasculature in Ephedra viridis Cov. consists of eight vascular bundles: four leaf traces and four axial bundles. In the nodal plexus, the four leaf traces diverge into the leaves, two per leaf. As they continue upward, the axial bundles on either side of the stem fuse for a short distance and then separate. Above this level, but still in the nodal region, the four axial bundles divide, giving rise to four small branch traces, which diverge into the branches, two per branch. Above the node, each of the four axial bundles divides again, reestablishing eight vascular bundles in the internode. The chlorophyllous leaf intergrades from an isobilateral to a weakly bifacial appearance, tip to base. The two collateral veins of the leaf consist entirely of primary phloem and primary xylem and are bordered by poorly defined bundle sheaths, which are interrupted by transfusion tracheids and gelatinous fibers. Notable features of the node are the presence of the nodal plexus, relatively short cell lengt...