Abstract: Anther development of Amomum villosum Lour.were studied using epoxy resin semi-thin sections with periodic acid-Schiff’s technique and Sudan black staining method.The results showed that microspore mother cells and tetrad microspores accumulated numerous lipids but no starches.The late microspore began appear starches around the nucleus beside lipids.Mature pollen grains accumulated abundant polysaccharide starches and lipids.Pollen wall was stained red,suggesting its polysaccharide feature.The anther wall of A.villosum consists of more than ten lay cells.The tapetal cells degenerated at microspore stage and its cytoplasm transform into lipids for the microspore absorbing.At anthesis,the mature anther wall included epidermis and some layers of parenchymal cells and several layers of endothecium cells with an evidently thickened radial wall.

Key words: Amomum villosum Lour., anther development, starch, lipid