Objective  To comprehensively analyze the phenotypic variations in wild populations of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara, and provide a theoretical support for the protection of germplasm resources, development and utilization of medicinal materials, and breeding improvement.

Method  The seven wild populations of P. polyphylla var. chinensis in China were used as materials. Based on the measurement of 17 phenotypic traits, by the analyses of variance, variation coefficient, multiple comparisons and correlation, the phenotypic variation and its relationship with geographical climate factors were discussed.

Result  Except the numbers of leaf and calyx, the other 15 phenotypic traits of wild P. polyphylla var. chinensis showed significant or extremely significant differences among and within populations. The variation within populations (Percentage of variance component was 52.19%) was greater than that among populations (Percentage of variance component was 26.39%). The mean phenotypic differentiation coefficient of phenotypic traits was 34.27% and the main source of variation was within populations. The average variation coefficient of each phenotypic trait was 17.72% and variation coefficient ranged from 6.83% to 29.95%. The variation ranges of peduncle length, leaf area, calyx area and plant height were higher than the average variation coefficients of these five traits, while those of leaf number, calyx number, fruit transverse diameter, fruit longitudinal diameter, fruit transverse diameter to longitudinal diameter ratio and seed 1000-grain weight were far less than the mean variation coefficients, indicating that the stabilities of flower and leaf quantitative trait indexes, fruit and seed traits were greater than those of leaf shape traits. Correlation analysis showed that most of the 17 phenotypic traits had significant or extremely significant correlations with the geographical and climatic factors.

Conclusion  The wild populations of P. polyphylla var. chinensis in Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province have the most abundant geographical population variations and can be used as the optimal target for germplasm collection and preservation.