Taxonomy and systematics of Ephedrites cheniae and Alloephedra xingxuei (Ephedraceae)

Abstract

New specimens of Liaoxia cheniae (≡ Ephedrites cheniae) have been collected from the Jianshangou Bed (Liaoning, China). A reinvestigation indicates that this species belongs to Ephedra. A new combination is therefore proposed. The branching pattern of living plants and exsiccatae of Ephedra were compared with those of Alloephedra xingxuei. The results suggest that Alloephedra xingxuei be transferred to Ephedra, as E. xingxuei comb. nov.