Abstract: The seed germination is an inherent property that plant adopt to environmental changes and the study of seed germination would help us to understand the population regeneration and seedling nursery.This study aimed to elucidate the type of seed dormancy and seed germination characteristics of Castanopsis sclerophylla,an important resource plant in China,the results showed that （1）a very high proportion of the fruits was the seeds;（2） the water absorption of the seeds was limited by the pericarp;（3） seed germination was impeded by the pericarp,and seeds germinated in a wide temperature range after the pericarp removed;（4）the germination of seeds was difficult at15/5℃or 20/10℃，but the germination was rapid at 25/15℃，30/20℃and 35/25℃respectively.The results indicate that the diaspore（fruit）of C.sclerophylla had physical dormancy（PD）,Fagaceae is a new recorded family with PD and dehydration sensitivity.The results also support the hypothesis that PD is a relatively evolved trait.