Abstract: Leaf epidermal micromorphology of 17 medicinal species of Lepisorus and three species of related genera from China were studied by light microscopy, which revealed some common characteristics. For example, the stomatal apparatus is present on the lower epidermis exclusively. Moreover, all samples showed polocytic-, copolocytic-, axillocytic- and coaxillocytic-type basic patterns. On the basis of the shapes of leaf epidermal cells, patterns of anticlinal walls, types of stomatal apparatus, stomatal index and stomatal size, all examined Lepisorus can be divided into four groups. The leaf epidermal features can serve as a significant trait in distinguishing species in Chinese Lepisorus and provide new information for the exploration of medicinal resources in this group of ferns.

Key words: China, leaf epidermis, Lepisorus, stomatal apparatus