Objective To analyze the phenotypic variation of X. sorbifolium, and provide useful information for genetic improvement.

Method Thirty-five phenotypic traits among 37 germplasms were analyzed by variance analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis.

Result Large variation and rich phenotypic diversity were found among and within germplasms of X. sorbifolium. The average coefficient of variation for 35 traits of 37 germplasm resources was 25.49%, and the variation range was12.80% to 63.25%. The variation of branch traits was the largest (45.51%) , followed by inflorescence traits (31.01%) , fruit traits (24.67%), flower traits (24.35%), seed traits (21.82%), and leaf traits (21.45%). The mean phenotypic differentiation coefficient was 80.52%, indicating that the variation among germplasm resources was the main source of phenotypic variation. The cumulative contribution rate of the first nine main principal components reached 80.333%. The 37 germplasms were classified into two main groups and six subgroups according to their characteristics by Ward’s method and reasonable utilization of each subgroup were suggested.

Conclusion The genetic variation of phenotypic traits of X. sorbifolium is abundant, among which the variation range of inflorescence, fruit and flower traits is larger than that of leaf and seed. It provides useful information for the genetic improvement, preservation, and evaluation of X. sorbifolium germplasms.