Abstract: Leaf epidermis of 2 species in genus Sauromatum Schott were examined under light microscope and scanning electron microscope ( SEM) and compared with that of 13 species in genera Typhonium, Pinellia and Arisaema in the same tribe Area of Araceae . The result reveals that the characters of leaf epidermis between the several genera generally are very similar . However , some of the characters in the species of the same genus are variable and can be used to identify its species . The characters of leaf epidermis support to merge Typhonium kunmingense into Typhonium calcicolum . The stomata apparatus of 15 species are all brachyparacytic types with 2 subsidiary cells . This type of stomata apparatus is considered more evolutional than that with more than 2 subsidiary cells which existed in majority tribes of Araceae . This also verify some taxonomists’viewpoint that tribe Area is more evolutional in family Araceae .

Key words: Sauromatum