Gnetophyta live in tropical and desert environments.

• Welwitschia can absorb water through structures on its large leaves.

• Gnetum species are tropical trees or vines.

• Ephedra (Mormon Tea or Ma Huang) is a desert shrub.
  Ephedrine extracts have been used as a diet pill, but carries cardiovascular risks that may have led to deaths including Minnesota Viking Korey Stringer (2001) and Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler (2003).