Abstract: We compared the differences of leaf anatomical structure, physiological index, nutrient concentrations, and nutrient stoichiometry among wild ancient tea tree (Camellia taliensis) in Qianjiazhai Nature Reserve, cultivated ancient tea tree (C. sinensis var.assamica)  and cultivated tableland tea tree (C. sinensis var. assamica) in Zhen-yuan County, Yunnan Province. The results showed that leaf thickness, mesophyll thickness, epidermis thickness, cuticle thickness, sponge tissue thickness, photosynthetic pigment content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and carbon content in wild ancient tea tree were higher than those in the two cultivated tea trees. The contents of nitrogen and phosphorus were higher in cultivated ancient tea tree, and there were no differences in leaf thickness and mesophyll thickness compared with wild ancient tea tree. The anatomical indices and nutrient contents of two types of ancient tea trees showed great plasticity and variation. The transportation ability of water and photosynthetic products in leaves of tableland tea tree was stronger, indicated by the higher values of palisade tissue, main vein thickness, and main vein protuberance. The wild and cultivated ancient tea plants had strong adaptability to environmental changes. The thicker leaves, mesophyll and spongy tissue suggested that leaves of ancient tea had abundant components, which is more conducive to the twisted integrity and brewing resistance of tea products and more suitable for the production of high-quality Pu’er tea. The leaves of tableland tea were thin and grew fast, which is more conducive to high and prosperous yield, and suitable for producing bulk tea products. Our results provide a theoretical basis for analyzing the differences of tea quality between cultivated ancient tea and tableland tea trees, and the conservation of wild ancient tea trees.

Key words: wild tea, cultivated tea, anatomy, physiological characteristics, nutritional element.