ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyse botanical morphology in different populations and give a reference for germplasm evaluation of Changium smyrnioides.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Roots and leaves were comprehensively compared among 10 populations of Ch. smyrnioides in the main distribution area, the foliar morphology similarity coefficient was calculated, and the systematic relationships were constructed based on UPGMA method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>There was significant morphological difference among populations of Ch. smyrnioides. Plant shape was divided into the loosed-type, compacted-type and intermediated-type. Leaf split was divided into the lobated-type, parted-type and intermediate-type. Root shape was divided into spherical-type, column-type and spindle-type. Foliar morphology similarity coefficient differed significantly and ranged from 0.234 1 to 0.985 1 among 10 populations of Ch. smyrnioides. Zijinshan population was divided into a unique group when similarity coefficient was 0.37.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Plant tightness, lobation depth and root shape could be used as the basis for germplasm evaluation on Ch. smyrnioides. Zijinshan population could be used as a special germplasm to be exploited.</p>