Abstract
This study, based on an investigation of morphology (as assessed through field and herbarium studies), leaf anatomy (stomata and vein islets), and pollen morphology (LM and SEM) reveals that Gaultheria stapfiana Airy Shaw is a distinct species and not a variant within of the G. hookeri C.B.Clarke as proposed by Ruizheng & P.F. Stevens (2005). Line drawings, photographs of living plants and specimens, photographs of leaf anatomical characters, and pollen of G. stapfiana and its allies, show that this species is clearly delimited from both G. hookeri and G. fragrantissima Wall.