Abstract: Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu et Cheng from Beijing, Shanghai and Liaocheng (Shandong Province) were studied. Epidermal cells are identical between upper and lower surface of leaves. Epidermal cell walls are straight-vavy-straight from tip to base of leaves, but area possessing straight cell walls is account to very small part compare with the whole epidermis. Stomata amounts and distributions are obviously different between upper and lower surface of leaves. Stomata distributed in both lower and upper surface on some leaves. In upper surface of leaves, only 1~100 stomata locate on tip or base and stomata area account very small part compare with whole upper surface of leaves. Sometimes, no any stoma locates on upper surface. Stomata amounts and distribution are nearly invariable on lower surface of all obtained leaves, stomata arranged to 3~8 rows and located on each side of mid-vein from tip to base of lower epidermis. Relationships were not found among diversity of stomatal distribution in upper surface of leaves, leaves from different location and from different sites of the one tree in M. glyptostroboides. Epidermal structures of M. glyptostroboides will offer reference of epidermal structures in distinguishing fossil specimen of Taxodiaceae and provide stomatal frequency and index for analyzing CO₂ consistence of atmosphere.

Key words: Taxodiaceae, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, epidermis, stomata