Abstract:The present paper deals with a study of the karyotype analysis of Cryptomeria fortunei Hooibrenk (Taxodiaceae). The chromosome count and karyotype of the species is reported for the first time, the number of somatic chromosomes in root-tip cell has been found to be 22, which all have metacentric centromeres. According to the terminology defined by Levan et al., the karyotype formula is therefore 2n=22=2m(SAT)+20m. Among these chromosomes, only the 11th pair possesses a secondary constriction, which is located at the short arm near the centromere. Measurements in microns of the chromosomes are given in Table 1. Photomicrographs of the chromosome complements and an idiogram of the karyotype are shown in Fig. 1 & 2 respectively. According to Stebbins, the karyotype of Cryptomeria fortunei, which is charaterized by the presence of very symmetrical chromosomes with median centro-meres, is generally considered as a rather primitive one.Upon comparing the karyotype of Cryptomeria fortunei with that of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook., it has been found that the latter belongs to Stebbins "2A" type of karyotype symmetry and should therefore be considered as a more advanced one than the former which belongs to "1A".