Abstract:Female gametophyte development and the early embryogenesis in Cymbidium sinense were observed. The ovule is anatropous with 2 integuments and one layered nucellus around the megaspore mother cell. The mature embryo sac consists of 8nuclei and conforms to the Allium type. The interval between pollination and fertilization is about 100 days and the normal double fertilization has been observed. Primary endosperm cell divides and forms 2─6 nucleus endosperm. During the development of the embryo, a suspensor consisting of a row of 5─6 cells is formed. It takes about 8 months from the pollination to the maturation of the seed. The embryo in the mature seed is just a globular mass of 110─120 cells without diffelentiation. The endosperm nucleus and suspensor are all degenerated in the mature seed.
