The effect of callus source (shoot tip, axillary bud and leaf primordium), medium (growth regulators) and number of subcultures on both somatic embryogenesis and shoot formation were studied. Moreover, the anatomical features of roots and leaves of regenerated plantlets were also studied in comparison with those of seedlings. Results revealed that shoot tip callus on a medium containing 2mg/L IBA gave the best somatic embryogenesis. Hormone free medium and that containing 5 mg/L 2, ip did not cause somaclonal variation, while on other media it ranged between 14.42 and 32.15%. On transferring onto free hormone medium, 20% of the abnormal embryos developed normal plantlets. The  highest rate of shoot multiplication was obtained with shoot tip callus on medium containing 3mg/L 2,ip. Comparative anatomy of in vitro and ex vitro leaves and roots, indicated that the leaves of the in vitro regenerated plantlets had well developed tissues. On the contrary, their roots were characterized by poorly developed cortex and vascular bundles, which may be the main causes of the observed problems with plantlet acclimatization.   Abbreviations. 2,4-D: 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid; NAA: naphthaleneacetic acid; IBA: indole-3- butyric acid; 2, ip: (2-dimethylallayl – amino)- purin;   GA₃: gibberellic acid.