Abstract: The development of embryo and endosperm and its influence on the germination of seeds of Bupleurum chinense were studied by means of paraffin section. The development of embryo belongs to the solanad type. The basal cell dose not divide again after the first transverse division, so the suspensor is not well developed and dissolved early. The development of the endosperm is of nuclear type. The division of primary endosperm nucleus is prior to that of zygote. According to the statistics of the embryo development stage after seeds were collected, it is found that in all the seeds observed, embryo of 20% of the seeds belong to globular proembryo stage, 70% is heart-shaped embryo, 10% is torpedo embryo stage. The results showed that the developmental stage of the embryo in the collected seeds of Bupleurum chinense is different and the seeds have morphological post-maturation. This is the main reason why the seeds of Bupleurum chinense are difficult to germinate and the ratio of germination is very low.

Key words: Bupleurum chinense DC., Embryo, endosperm, seed germination, morphological post-maturation