Research Paper

Ephedra chengiae (Ephedraceae), a new species from Xizang of China

Yong Yang, David K. Ferguson

Published on: 10 February 2021

Page: 57 - 60

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2021.66.57

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    Abstract

    A new species of Ephedraceae, i.e. Ephedra chengiae sp. nov., is described and illustrated here. This new species is similar to E. rituensis Y.Yang & al. and E. intermedia Schrenk & C.A.Mey. in the erect habit with prominent woody stems, elongated twigs with many nodes, and the long micropylar tube. However, it differs from E. rituensis by the synangia being prominently stipitate (vs. sessile), the female cone having fewer bract pairs (3–4 vs. 4–5), its glossy seeds, and from E. intermedia by the prominently stipitate synangia (vs. sessile or nearly so), the female cone having fewer bract pairs (3–4 vs. 2–5), the glossy seeds (vs. seeds not glossy), and the micropylar tube being more or less straight (vs. twisted). Ephedra chengiae var. spinosa var. nov. differs from var. chengiae in its cushion-like habit and the spinose twigs.

    Keyword: China, Ephedra rituensis, Ephedra intermedia, Ephedraceae, morphology, new species, taxonomy, Xizang

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