Ephedra aurea (Ephedraceae), a new species from Sicily

Ephedra aurea, a new species occurring in Sicily, is described and illustrated. Taxonomically, it shows close relationships with Ephedra nebrodensis mainly for the small size with internodes scabrous-wrinkled not fragile at the nodes, but relevant differences regarding the size and shape of twigs, leaves, male and female cones, ovules, seeds, fruiting strobili and pollen grains allow to distinguish very well the two species. Its ecology, conservation status and relationships with other allied Mediterranean species are discussed.