Abstract: To reveal the internal mechanism which lead to the endangerment of the AdenophoUa lobophylla Hong population, comparative studies of sexual reproduction and asexual propagation between the populations of A. lobophylla and A. potaninii Korsh were carried out. Young seedlings of A. lobophylla had less ability to occupy the uper space of the herbaceous layer than those of A. potaninii. The A. lobophylla population produced much more seeds and lived a long reproductive life to adapt the ambient environment. Though the number of flowers and fruits of A. lobophylla population was more than those of A.potaninii population, the number of its ripe seeds as well as the quality was less. Thus, the development rate from its seeds to one-year old seedlings was very low, and viability of its young seedlings was very poor. This could be the important factor causing the imminent population endangerment of A. lobophylla. Besides the sexual reproduction, the A. lobophylla population also had a comparatively tiny ability of asexual propagation, which was advantageously complementary to its sexual reproduction.

Key words: Endangered plant, Adenophora lobophylla, Adenophora potaninii, Reproductive ecology