Ephedraceae is a family of gymnosperms belonging to

Gnetophyta Gnetophyta () is a division of plants (alternatively considered the subclass Gnetidae or order Gnetales), grouped within the gymnosperms (which also includes conifers, cycads, and ginkgos), that consists of some 70 species across the three rel ...

, it contains only a single extant genus, ''

Ephedra Ephedra may refer to: * Ephedra (medicine), a medicinal preparation from the plant ''Ephedra sinica'' * ''Ephedra'' (plant), genus of gymnosperm shrubs See also * Ephedrine Ephedrine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is of ...

'', as well as a number of extinct genera from the

Early Cretaceous The Early Cretaceous ( geochronological name) or the Lower Cretaceous (chronostratigraphic name), is the earlier or lower of the two major divisions of the Cretaceous. It is usually considered to stretch from 145 Ma to 100.5 Ma. Geology Pro ...

Taxonomy

File:Eamesia chinensis.png, '' Eamesia'' File:Chengia laxispicatagen.webp, ''Chengia'' File:Jianchangia verticillata.webp, ''Jianchangia'' * ''

'' L. Early Cretaceous-Recent * '' Leongathia'' V.A. Krassilov, D.L. Dilcher & J.G. Douglas 1998 Koonwarra fossil bed, Australia, Early Cretaceous (

Aptian The Aptian is an age in the geologic timescale or a stage in the stratigraphic column. It is a subdivision of the Early or Lower Cretaceous Epoch or Series and encompasses the time from 121.4 ± 1.0 Ma to 113.0 ± 1.0 Ma (million years ago), a ...

) * '' Jianchangia'' Yang, Wang and Ferguson, 2020

Jiufotang Formation The Jiufotang Formation ( Chinese: 九佛堂组, pinyin: ''jiǔfótáng zǔ'') is an Early Cretaceous geological formation in Chaoyang, Liaoning which has yielded fossils of feathered dinosaurs, primitive birds, pterosaurs, and other organisms (see ...

, China, Early Cretaceous (Aptian) * '' Eamesia'' Yang, Lin and Ferguson, 2018

Yixian Formation The Yixian Formation (; formerly transcribed as Yihsien Formation) is a geological formation in Jinzhou, Liaoning, People's Republic of China, that spans the late Barremian and early Aptian stages of the Early Cretaceous. It is known for its ex ...

, China, Early Cretaceous (Aptian) * '' Prognetella'' Krassilov et Bugdaeva, 1999 Yixian Formation, China, Early Cretaceous (Aptian) (initially interpreted as an angiosperm) * '' Chengia'' Yang, Lin & Wang, 2013, Yixian Formation, China, Early Cretaceous (Aptian) * ''

Chaoyangia ''Chaoyangia'' is an extinct genus of euornithean birds, containing the single species ''Chaoyangia beishanensis''. This species is known from a single fossil specimen consisting of a partial skeleton including vertebra, ribs, hips, and upper l ...

'' Duan, 1998 Yixian Formation, China, Early Cretaceous (Aptian) * '' Eragrosites'' Cao & Wu, 1998 Yixian Formation, China, Early Cretaceous (Aptian) * '' Gurvanella'' Krassilov, 1982 China, Mongolia, Early Cretaceous * '' Alloephedra'' Tao and Yang, 2003 China, Early Cretaceous (considered a synonym of ''Ephedra'' by some authors) * '' Amphiephedra'' Miki, 1964 China, Early Cretaceous * '' Beipiaoa'' Dilcher & al, 2001 China, Early Cretaceous * '' Ephedrispermum'' Rydin, K.R.Pedersen, P.R.Crane et E.M.Friis, 2006 Portugal, Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) * '' Ephedrites'' Guo and Wu, 2000 China, Early Cretaceous * '' Erenia'' Krassilov, 1982 China, Mongolia, Early Cretaceous * '' Liaoxia'' Cao et al. 1998 China, Early Cretaceous * '' Dichoephedra'' Ren et al. 2020 China, Early Cretaceous * ?''Pseudoephedra'' Liu and Wang, 2015 China, Early Cretaceous

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q10376735 Plant families Ephedraceae