Abstract:The phenotypic diversity analysis and comprehensive evaluation of 142 germplasms of Erythropalum scandens were carried out by means of coefficient of variation, correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis, which laid a foundation for the breeding of E. scandens in Guangxi. The survey found that Chongzuo City and Baise City had more wild germplasm resources, followed by Nanning City, and a small number of wild germplasm resources of E. scandens were found in Hechi City, Wuzhou City, Yulin City, Fangchenggang City, Liuzhou City, Beiliu City, Pingguo City and Pingxiang City. The wild germplasm mainly distributed in limestone hills, slopes, mountains, sparse forests, dense forests, with an altitude of 140-1001 m. The statistical results showed that the coefficient of variation of 11 phenotypic traits was between 2.76% and 18.75% of 142 germplasms, indicating that the genetic difference of germplasm resources in Guangxi was large. Correlation analysis showed that leaf length was significantly correlated with leaf width, length of the second branch internode, main stem diameter, fruit longitudinal diameter and leaf thickness. Leaf width was significantly correlated with leaf thickness and fruit longitudinal diameter. Petiole length was significantly correlated with the second branch diameter, the second branch internode length and main stem diameter. Altitude was significantly positively correlated with leaf thickness, but significantly negatively correlated with leaf length, leaf width and second-order branch internode length. The results of cluster analysis showed that 142 germplasm materials could be divided into 4 categories when the Euclidean distance was 4.5, The first, second, third and fourth categories contained 49, 54, 27 and 12 germplasms, respectively. Principal component analysis showed that the cumulative contribution rate of the five principal components was 68.25%. Principal component 1 and principal component 2 mainly reflected leaf and branch related indicators, while principal component 3, principal component 4 and principal component 5 mainly reflected fruit related indicators. The comprehensive evaluation results showed that the top ten germplasms were all from Chongzuo City, including 5 cultivated germplasms and 5 wild germplasms, which could provide excellent parents for the breeding and improvement of new varieties of E. scandens.