Abstract:In order to improve the efficiency of utilizing Salvia splendens germplasm resources, the phenotypic genetic diversity was evaluated based on 20 quantitative traits and 5 qualitative traits of 20 major varieties in China. The results indicated that the phenotypic genetic diversity was abundant in Salvia splendens cultivars and there was high variation among 20 accessions in phenotypic traits．The total variation degree and abundance in phenotypic traits of exotic varieties was similar to that of domestic varieties. Shannon-Weaver diversity index of 25 phenotypic traits ranged from 0.23 to 1.97, and in quantitative traits it was higher for main stem diameter, crown diameter, petiole length, flowering time and internode length, while in qualitative traits it was higher for leaf bubble protuberant degree, petiole color intensity. Five principal components were screened using PCA based on the variance cumulative contribution rate of 83.96%, which could reflect the integral phenotype of Salvia splendens. The Euclidean distance among all the 20 accessions varied from 2.26 to 12.72, with average about 7.0. The 20 accessions could be classified into two groups clustered by UPGMA based on the Euclidean distance at about 8.5：the high plant group and the dwarf plant group. The former included only 1 variety (Gouhuo) and the later included 19 cultivars which could be further divided into 4 sub-groups at the Euclidean distance about 7.2.