Abstract: The structures of tepals and fruits of 64 species and 2 varieties representing 9 genera of Polygonaceae in China were studied using glycol methacrylate (GMA) section, peeling and separation of the exocarp. Features recorded included whether tepal margins were entire, undulate, or serrate and whether veins were trinervious, netlike or pinnate, although only one venation pattern was observed among species of any one genus. In most cases fruit shape was trigonous, biconvex, or nearly-spherical. In most of taxa, the exocarp consisted of stone cells which were usually arranged in an inlaid or paliform pattern. There were 7 types of stone cells: nearly elliptical with undulate wall, elongate cylindrical with undulate wall, nearly rectangular with protuberant wall, elongate cylindrical with protuberant wall, nearly rectangular with straight wall, nearly elliptical with protuberant wall, and elongate with undulate wall. The first five types were found in the subfamily Polygonideae and the sixth and seventh types in the subfamily Rumicoideae. Tannins occurred in the exocarp and mesocarp of the fruits. This study provides morphological information ontepals and fruit structure in the Polygonaceae, and from a taxonomic perspective supports the conclusion from molecular study that Polygonaceae is not a natural group.