Abstract: The seeds of 10 species of the genus dianthus are observed under scanning electron microscope. The micromorphology of the seed surface is systematically reported for the first time. The results indicate that: the shape of seed can be divided into 3 types: oval, ovate and triangle. The seed coats of 10 wild species are stripes-areolate or areolate. According to the shape of the mesh may be divided into three types. The size of lumina and muri have obvious differences between species. Thus, these are of significant value in the taxon of the genus dianthus.

Key words: Dianthus, seed morphology, seed micromorphology, taxonomy