Somatic embryos were induced directly on adaxial surface of cotyledonary leaves within 8-10 days of culture on Murashige and Skoog medium containing 5.37 to 10.74 μM 1 - napthaleneacetic acid and 2.22 μM benzyl adenine. Germinated embryos with shoot axes developed into complete plants after transfer onto half stength Murashige and Skoog medium containing 1.07 μM 1 - napthaleneacetic acid. Histological studies suggested direct origin of somatic embryos with broad-base attachment. © 1995 Kluwer Academic Publishers.