To reveal the developmental similarities and differences of gemmae between various fern species and to compare the developmental characteristics of gemmae in fern and bulbils in angiosperm, we used morphological observation, paraffin sectioning and scanning electron microscopy to observe the gemmae development and vegetative organs of Monachosorum henryi (Dennstaedtiaceae) in this study. The results showed that: (1) leaves of M. henryi were thin, composed of 7-8 layers of cells, with stomata distributed on lower epidermis, and without obvious differentiation between palisade tissue and sponge tissue. (2) The leaf axis of M. henryi contains an “heart” shaped vascular bundle, and the base of the petiole contains two vascular bundles from the base to the middle; mature roots can see obvious vascular tissue, without marrow. (3) Leaf development of M. henryi should be divided into five stages: the active recovery, the rolling fist, the leaf unfolding, mature and senescence period. The gemmae development in leaves started from the leaf unfolding stage, and should be divided into four periods: primordial development, gemmae differentiation, gemmae expansion, and gemmae maturation stage. (4) The gemmae primordium of M. henryi was originated from the parenchyma cell under the epidermal cells at the bifurcation between the leaf axis and the plume leaf. Multiple nonleaflike primary “leaves” differentiated and showed the overall “anchor” shape. The gemmae falls into the soil after mature or germinates on mother plant.