Abstract: The genus Ephedra in China includes 15 species, 2 varieties and 1 form belong to Sect. Alatae and Subsect. Ephedra of Sect. Ephedra. These species distribute in all parts of China except for the provinces located in Pearl River valley and median and lower and lower part of Yangtse River valley. The Ephedripites occurred in layers of China show that the genus Ephedra distributed in all parts of China with about 50 species, its earliest appearance in Jurassic and rich in species in Cretaceous and early Tertiary. According to the Ephedripites distribution in the world and the theory of continent driftion and ocean floor spreading-plate tectonics. The process of speciation of primitive species in Ephedra had occurred before the split of the ancient Pangaea. Like the Subsect Scandentes originated form Protoephedra Sect. Alatae are also ancient and has its centre in the deserts of Central Asia. Its secondary centre of species speciation is in Himalaya and Hengduan mountains.

Key words: Ephedra