An　elastodynamic　solution　for　the　stress　wave　propagation　in　spherical　curved　plates　composed　of　functionally　graded　materials　(FGM)　is　presented.　Properties　of　materials　are　assumed　to　vary　in　the　direction　of　the　thickness　according　to　a　known　radial　variation　law　(gradient　field).　The　formulation　is　based　on　the　linear　three-dimensional　elasticity.　The　Legendre　orthogonal　polynomial　series　expansion　approach　is　used　for　determining　the　guided　waves　dispersion　curves　in　functionally　graded　spherical　curved　plates.　Our　results　from　a　homogeneous　anisotropic　spherical　curved　plate　are　compared　with　those　published　earlier　to　confirm　the　accuracy　and　range　of　applicability　of　this　polynomial　approach.　Guided　wave　dispersion　curves　for　graded　spherical　curved　plates　with　different　gradient　fields　are　calculated,　and　the　effects　of　the　gradient　field　on　the　characteristics　of　guided　waves　are　illustrated.　Finally,　dispersion　curves　for　graded　spherical　curved　plates　at　different　ratios　of　inner　radius　to　thickness　are　calculated　to　discover　the　influences　of　that　ratio　on　the　wave　characteristics.　(C)　2006　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.