Abstract: To establish a technical system for regeneration of Camellia oleifera by somatic embryogenesis. The immature embryos of Hubei Macheng Camellia oleifera in the middle of July were used as experimental materials. After sterilization, immature embryos were cut into pieces and inoculated on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D+1.0 mg/L KT and 5.0 mg/L NAA+1.0 mg/L KT, respectively. One month later, the callus induction rates of the two treatments were 83.23% and 45.34%, respectively. The callus was selected to be subculture on MS medium with 1.0 mg/L NAA+1.0 mg/L KT. After two months, obvious somatic embryos were observed, and the average induction rate of embryoid was 15.25%; the embryoids were then subcultured on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L NAA+3.0 mg/L 6-BA for embryoid development and plantlet regeneration. And then embryoids were transferred to 1/2MS medium containing 3.0 mg/L 6-BA for rooting culture. Complete regenerated plants can be obtained, and then domesticated and transplanted to the bowl for further growth. The technology system of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in Macheng Camellia oleiferawas established in this study, which laid a foundation for the establishment of Agrobacterium mediated transformation technology system of Camellia oleifera.

Key words: Camellia oleifera, somatic embryogenesis, plant regeneration