Abstract: The morphology of seed coat from 35 representative species in groups of Sect. Absiuthium DC., Sect. Abrotanum Bess., Sect. Artemisia, Sect. Dracunculus Bess and Sect. Iatilobus Y. R. Ling from Artemisia were observed using both optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. The shape of most achenes was inversely-ovate, lengthened-round or in other variable forms. However, the stereoscopic configuration varied to certain extent. All the epidermal cells of achenes had secondary thickening. First of all, the vertical and the horizontal perines of epidermal cells thickened extremely and they protruded so as to interconnect as netted structure. Secondly, the relatively intensive secondary thickening took place in the cell wall of the seed coat so that the concentrated longitudinal ridges formed on the surface of seed. Certain variations oceurred interms of the diameter and the layer number of the collar cells. The difference in these microstructure characters among groups may be of importance in plant taxonomy and ecology.

Key words: Artemisia, Morphology and microstructure of seed coat, Scanning electron microscope (SEM)