Abstract: The internal structure and cuticular characters of the leaves of Cephalotaxus were investigated under light microscope and scanning electron microscope. The materials used belong to 9 species, 2 varieties and 1 cultivar. The leaf characters of C. oliveri Mast. are as follows: stomata are amphicyclic and occasionally monocyclic, the stomatal frequency is 120.6/mm², the hypodermis is present, there are a large number of filiform sclereids and a few brachysclereids and astrosclereids in the mesophyll, the cuticular projections on the lower surfaces are indistinct. This species differs from all the other species of Cephalotaxus, in which stomata are amphicyclic only, the stomatal frequency is 47.3-88.1/mm², hypodermis is absent except in C. harringtonia and C. harringtonia cv. ‘Fastigiata’, foliar astrosclereids, hrachysclereids asd fibriform selereids may be present or entirely absent, there are distinct cuticular projections on the lower surface. Based upon the above-mentioned features, the gross morphology as well as the alkaloids. Cephalotaxus may be divided into two sections, namely: Sect. Cephalotaxus and Sect. Pectinatae. In addition, also discussed are following problems: the classification of some species in Sect. Cephalotaxus, the suggested subdivision of Sect. Cephalotaxus into 4 series, and the systematic position of Cephalotaxaceae.

Key words: Cephalotaxus, leaf anatomy, sclereid, cuticular projection, phylogeny