Abstract:Leaf epidermis of 45 species of Machilus Nees were observed under light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), of which 31 species were reported for the first time. The results showed that leaf epidermal cells were polygonous or irregular in shape. Stomatal complexes only present on abaxial epidermis and the stomata was paracytic type. There were five types of anticlinal walls of abaxial and adaxial cells (straight, rounded, undulated, sinuous, straight-curved). Trichomes on abaxial epidermis exist (sparse, dense or very dense) or not. Ornamention types of periclinal walls could be divided into punctuate, smooth and striate (or wavy striate). Ornamention of periclinal walls on inner side of abaxial epidermal cells varied widely (irregular, smooth, roughly reticular, micro hairy, granular, scaly). These characters could help to discriminate different species and reveal the relationship within Machilus. Therefore, they were of significance in studying on classification and phylogenetic relationship of Machilus.
