Abstract: The stem and leaf anatomy of seven species of Encalypta Hedw. from Xinjiang were investigated using paraffin section and SEM methods. The results showed: Most warts of Encalypta alpina Smith. were diamond or like leg-bone and densely covered on the surface of the leaves. Ornamentation of the warts was longitudinal ridge and goose pimples. The transverse section of the stem of Encalypta ciliata was pentagon. Stem cross-section was pentagon. The ridge of central axis cells was thickened. Crude warts distributed intensively on the depressed epidermal cell wall of back leaf. The transverse section of stem of Encalypta spathulata C.Mull. did not appear central cylinder sheath. Warts clustered and forked in the proximal. The epidermal cell wall of back leaf was not depressed. Encalypta vulgaris Hedw. did not have leaf tip. Hydraulic conductivity cells of central ribs were large. The epidermal cell wall was smoother and depressed strongly. The papilla was not obvious on the wall. The inner and external epidermis of the stem of Encalypta tianschanica j.c.zhao were different distinctly. Cytoplasm of inner cortex was dense. Branching crude warts of back leaf distributed intensively, and the star shaped crude warts of ventral leaf mostly distributed intensively on the lightly depressed cell wall. Wall of central rib cells of Encalypta tibetana C.Mull. was thickened. Leaves have layer upon layer of dense, irregularly branching crude warts. Back leaf was partly covered by band-like appurtenances. The size, position, status and ornamentation of warts of the six species plants were different. The number of layer of central rib cells, the size and status of hydraulic conductivity cells were also different. The investigation and observation of these subtle characteristics can be used for taxonomy of Encalypta Hedw..

Key words: Encalypta Hedw., anatomical observation, paraffin section, SEM