‘New’ species are not always new: a case study of Ephedra sumlingensis and E. khurikensis (Ephedraceae)

Recognition ofEphedra yangthangensisas a new synonym ofE. intermedia(Ephedraceae)

“…It was further observed from field observations that E. intermedia is the only species of Ephedra growing all across the type locality (Yangthang). Although at some places such as Sumling and Khurik near Kaza in neighboring Lahul and Spiti, another rarely growing species E. gerardiana was also found to occur supported by Rather et al 2022. In fact, E. intermedia is widely distributed in two districts of Himachal Pradesh (Kinnaur, Lahul and Spiti) including the type locality and its adjacent areas such as Chango, Tabo, Yangthang, Nako, Geyzing, Pelling, Leo and Ka villages supported by Rather and Khuroo 2022.…”

“…ex C.A.Mey. which grows in the hot arid Thar Desert and generally show reduced and limited morphological characters (Ickert‐Bond and Renner 2016, Rather et al 2019, 2021, 2022, Rather and Khuroo 2022). In the last decade, nine new Ephedra species have been described from India (Sharma and Uniyal 2008, Sharma et al 2010, Sharma and Singh 2015, 2016).…”

“…In fact, three such species i.e. Ephedra pangiensis Rita Singh & P.Sharma, E. sumlingensis P.Sharma & P.Uniyal and E. khurikensis P.Sharma & P.L.Uniyal have been recently synonymized to E. intermedia (Rather and Khuroo 2022, Rather et al 2022). In this study, we recognize another such species, Ephedra yangthangensis Prabha Sharma & Rita Singh described from Yangthang locality of Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, India as a new synonym of E. intermedia .…”