Abstract: On the basis of the full survey for natural distribution of Phyllanthus emblica in Western Yunnan,fruits were collected from its 9 natural populations,and 12 phenotypic traits of fruit,seed and offspring seedling were investigated so as to assess phenotypic diversity among these populations.The results showed that variations in phenotypic traits of the fruits,seeds and offspring seedlings were very rich within and among populations,there were significant differences among populations and between individuals within populations.There was significant difference in all 12 traits among populations and within populations.The mean phenotypic differentiation coefficient of these traits was 20.31%,and the variation within populations was approximately three times higher than that among populations,which indicated that variance within population was the main source of the phenotypic variation for the species.Seed and seedling traits were mostly in significant correlation with geographical and environmental factors,and growth of the mother trees of these populations,while fruits traits were not remarkably correlated with these factors.No significant relationship was found between geographic distances and Euclidean distances calculated from all phenotypic traits.These findings will lay a foundation for improved breeding of P. emblica,and provide scientific evidences for making good strategies for sustainable and healthy industrial development of this species.