Abstract: Direct somatic embryos were formed on the explants of Ornithogalum caudatum Jacq. that were excised from the bud scales of the small bulls when placed on an appropriate culture medium. Histological and scanning electron microscopic examinations showed that somatic embryogenesis was initiated from single cells of the outermost layer of the epidermis. The embryogenic cell underwent a periclinal division giving rise to a 2-celled proembryo which developed into the mature embryo through different morphological stages similar to that of a zygotic embryo. The somatic embryos germinated into plantlets which were then transplanted into soil. It was noted that the somatic embryos were formed exclusively on the adaxial surface of the bud scale rings while no embryos were observed on the abaxial surface of the rings. A distinctive difference in cell structure and morphology between these two parts of the explants was observed.

Key words: Ornithogalum caudatum, Somatic embryogenesis, Histological study