Abstract: The nine xerophytes grown in Gansu, i.e. Haloxylon persicum Bge., H. ammodendron Bge., Calligonum junceum Litw., C. arborescens Litw., C. leucocladum Bge., C. mongolicum Turcz., C. caput-medusae Schrenk, Hedysarum scoparium Fisch. et Mey. and Limonium aureum Hill., all, especially Haloxylon persicum, possessed distinct structural features of xeromorphism. Generally their leaves were extremely degenerated or exist as basal leaves. Photosynthesis was carried out by the young green twigs. The epidermis of which had thickened cell walls and were overlaid with thick cuticle. Underneath the epidermis it was the hypodermis. Inner to the hypodermis, the well developed palisade layer was shown to have cells containing abundant chloroplasts. Water-storing tissues with large cells were seen central to the palisade tissue. In tran- sverse section, the ratio of the cortex width and stem diameter was greater than that of mesophytes. In contrast, the ratio of cortex width and root diameter was smaller. Crystal cells or mucilage cells probably of xeromorphic charateristics were generally present in these xerophyes.