Ray florets of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Colchi Bahar regenerated shoots directly from its basal part on MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/l NAA and1 mg/l BAP. Light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic observation of direct shoot organ ogenesis on the surface of ray florets at different culture periods revealed that promeristem initiation occurred in the outer cell layer near the basal part of the ray florets and globular protrusions were first visible after 9 days of culture. This meristematic nodule further developed into shoot bud during culture. © 2000 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.