Clap-weed

Shrubs vinelike, trailing or clambering, 6--7 m. Bark gray, slightly cracked and fissured. Branches alternate (rarely whorled), lax, angle of divergence about 55°. Twigs gray-green, becoming green, then yellow-green with age, glaucous, with several moderately deep longitudinal grooves; internodes 1--8 cm. Terminal buds attenuate, 1--3 mm. Leaves opposite, 1--3 mm, connate to 2/3--7/8 their length; bases splitting at margins, persistent; apex obtuse. Pollen cones 1--2 at node, lanceoloid, 4--8 mm, sessile or on short to long, smooth peduncles; bracts opposite, 6--12 pairs, light yellow to reddish, obovate, 2--4 × 2--3 mm, membranous, free or slightly connate at base; bracteoles barely exceeding bracts; sporangiophores 3--5 mm, exserted to 1/2 their length, with 4--6 long-stalked (1--2 mm) microsporangia. Seed cones 1--2 at node, ovoid, 6--10 mm, on short to long, smooth peduncles; bracts opposite, 3--6 pairs, 3--4 × 2--3 mm, ovate, connate to 1/8--7/8 their length, inner pairs becoming succulent and red when ripe. Seeds 2, ellipsoid, 4--10 × 2--4 mm, brown, smooth.

Coning midwinter--early spring. Dry, sandy to rocky areas and slopes; of conservation concern; 100--1000 m; Tex.; n Mexico.