Abstract: The characteristics of the vessel elements of xylem in branches of Osmanthus fragrans were studied by isolation method and micrograph. The results indicated that there were various patterns of vessel elements. The main styles were annular vessel elements and pitted vessel elements.The most vessel elements were with tails at one end or both ends, the vessel elements without any tails were very rare. It was also showed that the vessel perforation pattern was porous vessel and the most of the perforation boards were slanted 31°~60°.The results indicated that the characteristics of the vessel elements of different cultivated varieties ofOsmanthus fragrans had no distinctive. The mean length and width of the vessel elements were 444.86 μm and 31.13 μm,respectively,and their length and width increased with magnification of the branches age