Ephedraceae is a family of
gymnosperms belonging to
Gnetophyta, it contains only a single extant genus, Ephedra, as well as a number of extinct genera from the
Early Cretaceous.
Jianchangia, showing chlamydosperms (C) and ovulate cone (F)
Diagram of Arlenea, showing closeup of terminal region with female reproductive structures (B) and cross section of a female reproductive structure.(C)
Ephedraceae is agreed to be the most
basal group amongst extant gnetophytes. Members of the family typically grow as shrubs and have small, linear leaves that possess parallel veins. The fossil Ephedraceae genera show a range of morphologies transitional between the ancestral
lax male and female reproductive structures and the highly compact reproductive structures typical of modern Ephedra.[3][4] Modern members of Ephedra have either dry winged membranous
bracts (modified leaves which surround the seed), which are dispersed by wind, leathery covered seeds, which are dispersed by seed-eating rodents, or fleshy bracts which are consumed and then dispersed by birds. Some extinct members of Ephedra from the Early Cretaceous, such as Ephedra carnosa, as well as Arlenea from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil have fleshy bracts surrounding the seeds, suggesting that these seeds were dispersed by animals.[5]
Laiyangia P.H. Jin, 2024[13] China, Early Cretaceous
?Pseudoephedra Liu and Wang, 2015[14] China, Early Cretaceous
References
^Kramer KU, Green PS, Götz E (1990). Kramer KU, Green PS (eds.). The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants, Vol. 1: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. pp. 379–381.
ISBN3540517944.
Ephedraceae is a family of
gymnosperms belonging to
Gnetophyta, it contains only a single extant genus, Ephedra, as well as a number of extinct genera from the
Early Cretaceous.
Jianchangia, showing chlamydosperms (C) and ovulate cone (F)
Diagram of Arlenea, showing closeup of terminal region with female reproductive structures (B) and cross section of a female reproductive structure.(C)
Ephedraceae is agreed to be the most
basal group amongst extant gnetophytes. Members of the family typically grow as shrubs and have small, linear leaves that possess parallel veins. The fossil Ephedraceae genera show a range of morphologies transitional between the ancestral
lax male and female reproductive structures and the highly compact reproductive structures typical of modern Ephedra.[3][4] Modern members of Ephedra have either dry winged membranous
bracts (modified leaves which surround the seed), which are dispersed by wind, leathery covered seeds, which are dispersed by seed-eating rodents, or fleshy bracts which are consumed and then dispersed by birds. Some extinct members of Ephedra from the Early Cretaceous, such as Ephedra carnosa, as well as Arlenea from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil have fleshy bracts surrounding the seeds, suggesting that these seeds were dispersed by animals.[5]
Laiyangia P.H. Jin, 2024[13] China, Early Cretaceous
?Pseudoephedra Liu and Wang, 2015[14] China, Early Cretaceous
References
^Kramer KU, Green PS, Götz E (1990). Kramer KU, Green PS (eds.). The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants, Vol. 1: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. pp. 379–381.
ISBN3540517944.