Abstract: The developmental process of embryo and endosperm of Tamarix chinensis was observed by means of traditional paraffin wax sections. The following results were obtained: The development of embryo was of Solanad type, and the division of proembryo basal cell was vertical. The basal cells of suspensor developed rapidly, which had haustorial function. At the globular embryo stage, the suspensor had well developed, which was richly cytoplasmic and contained abundant starch, and its remnants still exicted in the late heart-shaped embryo stage. Additional embryo resulted from the fertilized synergid was observed in T. chinensis. The development of endosperm was of Nuclear type. The primary endosperm nucleus division was often posterior to zygote, and its division speed was also slower than that of embryo cells. Wall formation in the endosperm was initiated at the late heart-shaped embryo when there were 32 free nuclei. Few further division occured after cellularization in the endosperm. There were only two layers of nucellus which had abundant cytoplasm and reserved substance, and were consumed at the stage of late heart-shaped embryo.

Key words: Tamarix chinensis, embryo, endosperm, development