The range is restricted to southeastern California and across the borders with Nevada and Arizona. It is listed as a species thought to be at risk of extinction using the NatureServe ranking system (NatureServe 2009). E. funerea and the habitat in which it occurs is under some threat from human development and disturbance from off-road vehicles. Over-grazing may also be a threat. However, the range of this species is large with an extent of occurrence is 81,739 km², and although there is probably continuing decline in quality and extent of habitat, this is not sufficient for this species to qualify for either a threatened or a Near Threatened listing. Hence, despite the NatureServe listing of Imperilled, this species is assessed here as being Least Concern. Further surveys on the range, threats and population trends of this species are required.

Endemic to southwestern USA occurring in California, southern Nevada and western Arizona. Occurs from 300 m up to 1,700 m.

Variously described as scarce to abundant: common and abundant (Baker 13971) in Arizona; fairly common (Sanders 9049) - Mojave desert; uncommon, but widespread on rocky slopes and wash edges (Sanders 28019) - Mojave desert; uncommon (Sanders 24258) - south-central Mojave desert and scarce (Elvin 3798) - southern Mojave.

A shrub, found growing in desert scrub, on rocky slopes with gravelly or sandy soil in arid areas, sometimes on stabilized dunes. Associated with limestone mountain ranges in Nevada. Associated vegetation includes mixed scrub such as Larrea sp. and Ambrosia sp. Coning is from March to April and seed is reported to be dispersed by seed-caching rodents.

General threats include expansion of urban areas such as Las Vegas, increased fragmentation of habitat with road building and use of off-road vehicles as well as overgrazing in some areas. Collections have been made recently (2008) indicating the species is still extant.

The stems of most members of this genus contain the alkaloid ephedrine and are valuable in the treatment of asthma and many other complaints of the respiratory system (Plants for a Future 2010).

Global Status rated as G2 - Imperilled (NatureServe 2009) indicating a species at high risk of extinction. In the Flora of North America it has also been listed as a species of conservation concern. No samples have been collected as an ex situ conservation measure and one record is known from a botanic garden. It occurs in several protected areas throughout its range including the California Desert National Conservation Area and Death Valley National Park.