Abstract: Leaf epidermis of 36 species representing 19 sections of Camellia(Theaceae) was examined under light microscope (LM). Among them, 30 species representing 18 sections were re-examined by scanning electron microscope(SEM). The results indicate that the shapes of upper and lower epidermis cell of these plants are irregular. The stomatal apparatuses belong to the Cyclocytic type, existing only in lower epidermis.The characteers of leaf epidermis under SEM are as follows: stomatal shape is shuttle or long ovate; innermargin of outer stomatal ledge is smooth or sinuolate or wave; cuticular membrane near stomatal apparatuses is even or wrinkled and its surface is smooth or covered with some kinds of ornament. These characters can be used to distinguish species or varieties of Camellia, but do not have correlation with morphology.

Key words: Camellia

摘要： 在光学显微镜下观察了山茶属(Camellia)19个组36个代表种的叶表皮形态,发现上述植物的叶上下表皮细胞表面观形状均为不规则形,气孔器仅在下表皮存在,且一致为环列型;对上述植物中18个组30个种的叶下表皮进行扫描电镜观察,其特征为:气孔形状为梭形或长卵形,气孔外拱盖内缘光滑或呈浅波状、波状,气孔器附近的角质膜平坦或皱褶,表面光滑或有多种纹饰.这些特征可作为区分种或变种的依据,但与植物的外部形态等特征没有相关性.

关键词: 山茶属, 叶表皮形态, 分类