Abstract:Karyotypes from the flower bud of nine tea (Camellia smensis (L. ) Kuntze) cultivars were studied. Somatic chromosome numbers of these cultivars were 2n = 30, i. e diploids, except culti-var 'Zhenghe Dabaicha' which was 2n = 45, a triploid. The characteristics of the karyotypes of all the cultivars were diferent to some extent. According to chromosome classification, karyotypes of those with tree form and large leaf were more symmetric, belonging to 2A type, and those with shrub form and smaller leaf were less symmetric, belonging to 2B type. The results indicated that the cultivars having tree form and large leaf were less developed in origin, which supported the result of other researchers, and that using flower bud as reaearch material in tea chromosome study was an effective and convenient way.