Abstract: The whole processes of the gametophytes development of 4 species belonging to 2 genera in Woodsiaceae from northeastern China were cultured and comparatively studied.As the characteristics of gametophytes are recognized, the found of a family is reasonable.And there are also distinctive differences among the genera and species in the family.The spores germination are of the Vittaria-type (Nayar & Kaur 1971).The germ filaments are 5-9 cells long, uniserate, acute or atteunate and terminated into hairs.A apical meristemic cell is formed laterally behind the hair from the filament and divides obliquely.The prothallial development are of the Aspidium-type (Nayar & Kaur 1971).The prothalli are hairy and cordata.In Protowoodsia germ filament is 5 cells long, acute.The hairs with persistent extracellular secretions occur marginally on the prothallus.Antheridium is cylindrical globose.And in Woodsia germ filaments 7-9 cells long, attenuate.Extracellualr secretions of the hair deciduous.Antheridium globose to long globose.Filament 7 cells long, hair club-shaped, marginal hairs on the top of the lobe in Woodsia subcordata.Filament 8 cells long, hair long club-shaped, marginal hairs distributed regularly in W.intermedia.Filament 9 cells long, hair short club-shaped, marginal hairs distributed profusely and irregularly in W.polystichoides.As mention above the unique characteristic specially the germ filament acute or attenuate are apparent clear, Separating it from Dryopteridaceae, Polypodiaceae, Athyriaceae etc.is also supported by the development of gametophytes.

Key words: Gametophyte of fern, Woodisiaceae, Northeastern China