Abstract: The leaf epidermal characters of 10 species, 1 variety (16 samples) in different series of the genus Glycyrrhiza are observed with the light microscope under the conditions of epidermal maceration and paraffin section . The stomatal size , density and index were measured and counted . The results show that the shape of leaf epidermal cells are polygonal or irregular , and the anticlinal walls are straight, sinuate or sinuolate . The stomatal apparatuses can be divided into 6 types, most of them are anomocytic, anisocytic and brach paracytic , only one species usually has two to three types of stomatal apparatuses . Trichomes can be divided into two groups , simple trichomes and scales . These characters have some regularity in subdivision of the genus and supraspecific taxon , some differences were also found among species . Therefore these characters are much of signification in identification to subdivision of the genus, and also provide
evidence for studies on systematic relationships of several taxons in genus .

Key words: Glycyrrhiza