Abstract: The embryological development of Gymnotheca chinensis Decne. isstudied in detail. At the same time, Saururus chinensis (Lour. ) Baill. and Houttuynia cordata Thunb. are studied, too. Main embryological features of every genus in Saururaceae are compared, and the systematic rela- tionships in Saururaceae are discussed. Tapetum of G. chinensis Decne. is glandular. Microspore is a simultaneous type. A few microspore mother cells don't divide at the end of meiosis II and form microspore dyad with walls. Most of the microspore tetrads are tetrahedral and there are a few other types, such as decussate, dilateral and T-shaped tetrad. Microspores have many sterile mutants at the microspore tetrad stage, and most of pollen grains degenerate at the late singe nu-cleus pollen stage, and pollen grains are empty and shrivelled when dehiscence of anthers at matur-ity. The pistil of Gymnotheca chinensis is parietal placentation, crassinucellate ovule.

Key words: Saururances, G.chinensis, S.chinensis, H.cordata, Comparative embryology