Abstract
Polyspora pertains to Theaceae. It is a perennially green tree or shrub, flowering in winter. It served as an exceptional species of garden, mountain afforestation, and timber tree. It is primarily distributed in the tropical regions of Southeast Asian Islands and Indo-China Peninsula; eight varieties are spread across China, which is the northern periphery of the genus's distribution area, chiefly dispersed in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests. The phenotypic variability of Polyspora in China was relatively extensive, with leaf traits of Polyspora longicarpa exhibiting the most substantial variation, with an average coefficient of variation of 28.46%, flower characteristics of Polyspora chrysandra demonstrating a higher variation (16.26%), and capsule and seed traits of Polyspora displaying the most significant variation (20.15%); the phenotypic differentiation primarily originated from intergroups, and that of Polyspora chrysandra was slightly lower than that of intragroups, and that of Polyspora speciosa was not significantly distinguished between and within groups. The phenotypic differentiation between and within groups was not evident, and the phenotypic differentiation of Polyspora longicarpa and Polyspora hainanensis primarily originated from within groups; leaf length, leaf perimeter, leaf area, capsule length, and seed quality were the pivotal indicators of the phenotypic disparities of the species; leaf phenotypic variation of Polyspora was influenced by its own genetic factors and geographic environment, and the two roles were comparable; among the environmental factors, the bioclimatic factors and UV radiation had a more profound impact on the leaf phenotypes.