Abstract: Using Illicium difengpi B. N. Chang seeds as materials, the germination characteristics and the optimal germination environment of Illicium difengpi seeds were investigated, and the seed kernel weight and the seed shell weight were determined. The effects of different soaking time （0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 d）, different water content of substrate （30%, 50%, 70%） and different sowing depth （0, 1, 2, 3, 4 cm）, different light conditions （all black, natural light）, different soil substrates （sandy soil, fertilized soil, loess, mixed soil, perlite）, and different gibberellins breaking dormancy treatments （a total of 9 combinations） on the germination of Illicium difengpi seeds were studied. The results showed that the length-to-width ratio of Illicium difengpi seeds was close to 1.5∶1, and the average ratio of seed kernel weight to seed shell weight was 2.40. The germination rate was highest when seeds were soaked for 4 days and the water content of substrate was 70%. The germination rate was highest at a sowing depth of 1 cm. Soaking time, sowing depth, lighting, sowing substrate, and gibberellin treatment to break dormancy all significantly affected the germination rate of seeds. Under dark conditions, seeds soaked for 4 days and treated with gibberellin to break dormancy （soaked in 100 mg/L gibberellin for 12 hours, removed for 30 hours of stratification treatment, and then soaked in 100 mg/L gibberellin for another 12 hours） were sown in perlite substrate at a depth of 1 cm, maintaining a substrate water content of 70%, which could effectively improve their germination rate.

Key words: Illicium difengpi B. N. Chang seeds, germination characteristics, germination percentage, karst region