A somatic embryogenesis protocol for plantlet regeneration of Cornus walteri from hypocotyl explants was established. Embryogenic calluses were induced on MS medium containing 3% sucrose, 0.3% gellan gum, 800 mg l^-1 casein hydrolysate, 400 mg l^-1 L-glutamine, 2,4-D, BA, and thidiazuron after 4 weeks of incubation in darkness. High induction frequency (>80%) of embryogenic calluses was achieved with 13.5 μM 2,4-D. Somatic embryos subsequently developed on a medium with 0.44 μM NAA and 0.44 μM BA, yielding 47.1% induction rate. The optimum medium for somatic embryo maturation and secondary somatic embryo production was MS medium containing 0.22 μM NAA and 0.44 μM BA. Explant genotype had a significant impact on somatic embryos production and maturation. A typical mature somatic embryo consisted of two large cotyledons and a short embryo proper. Approximately 90% of selected mature somatic embryos germinated and 62.2% converted into plantlets on plant growth regulator-free germination medium that was similar to our induction medium, but eliminating casein hydrolysate and L-glutamine. Histological observation of explants at various developmental stages of somatic embryogenesis revealed that somatic embryos passed through early globular-, globular-, heart-, torpedo-, early cotyledonary-, and cotyledonary-stages, which was similar to the development of a zygotic embryo in vivo.