Abstract: Cuticles of Christensenia asculifolia,Marattia pellucida,Angiopteris caudatiformis and Archangiopteris henryi of Marattiales were examined by using light and scanning electron microscopes.The studies show common features among them such as the stomata which is found in the lower epidermis,the wavy anticlinal walls of the epidermmal cells and the cyclocytic stomatal type.The cyclocytic stomata is emphasized as a distinct characteristic in all genera of Marattiales,and considered as an important character of classification and systimatics in the order level.The characteristics of epidermis of Christensenia such as the large size of the stomata,the large and strongle curved guard cells especially the polycyclic cyclocytic stomata support the suggestion of eastablishing a family christenseniaceae instead of the genus christensenia.

Key words: Marattiales, Cuticle, Epidermis, Cyclocytic stomata

摘要： 运用扫描电镜和光学显微镜对观音座莲目4种（属）植物的叶角质层进行了研究。结果表明，其间存在明显共性：表皮构造均为单面气孔式，上下表皮细胞垂周壁皆呈不同程度的波状起伏，气孔器类型皆为环列型。需要指出的是观音座莲目的全部6属植物均具环列型的气孔器，这表明该特征在目一级水平上具有重要的分类学及系统学意义。同时天星蕨属的角质层特征进一步支持了将天星蕨属上升为天星蕨科的观点。

关键词: 观音座莲目, 角质层, 表皮, 环列型气孔器