In an attempt to obtain insight into the differential responsiveness of different genotypes of Kalopanax septemlobus regarding their embryogenic capacity, several parameters such as endogenous hormonal levels, DNA content, embryogenic callus proliferation and somatic embryogenesis were studied in several genotypes of this plant. Also, to understand the effect of the age of the explants on their embryogenic capacity, the same parameters were studied in two embryogenic cell lines of different ages in the selected genotype. In the present study, it was observed that the cytokinins/abscisic acid (ABA) ratio plays an important role in embryogenic capacity in the studied genotypes of K. septemlobus species. A decrease in embryogenic capacity of callus was observed with increasing age, along with a marginal decrease in the DNA content of nuclei. Further, it can be suggested from our results that young embryogenic callus is a better choice for somatic embryo formation than the long-term-maintained callus in K. septemlobus.