Table 1 A comparison of morphological characters between Jianchangia and other gnetalean macrofossils from northeastern China

Alloephedra

Yanji Basin, Jilin Province, China

Dalazi Formation, Aptian-Albian, Lower Cretaceous

ovate-triangular

yes

2

paired

modified

Tao & Yang 2003 [48]

Beipiaoa

Huangbanjigou, Shangyuan, Beipiao, Liaoning, China

Yixian Formation, equivalent to the Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

-

yes

1

paired

modified, spinose or acute

Sun & al. 2001 [47]

Chengia

Dawangzhangzi, Lingyuan, Liaoning, China

Yixian Formation, equivalent to the Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

linear

yes

4-8

paired

modified

Yang & al. 2013 [16]

Constrobilus

Beipiao, Liaoning Province

Jianshangou Bed, Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

petiolate, broad ovate, pinnately veined

yes

1

paired

modified

Liu & al. 2013 [43]

Ephedra archaeorhytidosperma

Huangbanjigou, Shangyuan, Beipiao, Liaoning, China

Yixian Formation, equivalent to the Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

acute, triangular?

yes

1(-2?)

paired

modified, acute

Yang & al. 2005 [51]

E. carnosa

Huangbanjigou, Shangyuan, Beipiao, Liaoning, China

Yixian Formation, equivalent to the Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

-

yes

1

paired or ternately whorled

modified, fleshy

Yang & Wang 2013 [54]

E. hongtaoi

Dawangzhangzi, Lingyuan, Liaoning, China

Yixian Formation, equivalent to the Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

-

yes

1

paired

modified

Wang & Zheng

E. multinervia

Dawangzhangzi Village, Songzhangzi Town, Lingyuan City, Chaoyang District, Liaoning Province, China

Daxinfangzi Bed, Yixian Formation, Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

long, strap-shaped, having multiple parallel veins

yes

1

paired

modified

Yang & al. 2015 [52]

Gurvanella

Chaoyang, Liaoning, China; Mongolia

Yixian Formation, equivalent to the Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

linear, having 2(?) parallel veins

yes

1

ternately whorled

modified with profusely branched veins

Sun & al. 2001 [47]

Jianchangia

Lamadong Village, Jianchang County, Liaoning Province, northeastern China

Jiufotang Formation, Aptian, Lower Cretaceous

linear, parallel-veined

yes

2

verticillate

linear, leaf-like

This study

Latibractea

near Beipiao, Liaoning Province

Jianshangou Bed, Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

leaves petiolate, divided, parallel-veined

yes

3 or 4

paired

modified

Liu & al. 2013 [43]

Liaoxia cheniae

Shangyuan Village of Beipiao, Liaoning, China

Yixian Formation, equivalent to the Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

linear, parallel-veined

yes

2-6

paired

modified

Rydin & al. 2006 [26, 46]

Prognetella

Huangbanjigou, Shangyuan, Beipiao, Liaoning, China

Yixian Formation, equivalent to the Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

linear, having 2-4 parallel veins

yes, in reproductive shoots but not in typical cone

-

paired

leaf-like

Yang & Ferguson 2015 [15]

Protognetum jurassicum

Daohugou, Ningcheng County, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China

Yixian Formation, equivalent to the Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

linear

yes

2

paired

linear, leaf-like

Yang & al. 2017 [1, 59]

Pseudoephedra

Dawangzhangzi Village, Lingyuan City, Liaoning Province, China

Yixian Formation, Barremian–Aptian, Lower Cretaceous

linear

probably no

-

-

-

Liu & Wang 2016 [44]

Siphonospermum simplex

Jianshangou, Beipiao, Chaoyang City, west Liaoning, China

Yixian Formation, equivalent to the Barremian, Lower Cretaceous

linear, having 3 parallel veined

no

-

-

-

Rydin & Friis 2010 [45]

Spinobractea

near Beipiao, Liaoning Province

Jianshangou Bed, Barremian, Early Cretaceous

broadly lanceolate, forked venation

yes

2-4

paired

lanceolate

Liu & al. 2013 [43]