Abstract: Seeds collected from five different local populations of Mosla hangchowensis were germinated in the laboratory , and the young seedlings were transplanted in plots. At the late period of vegetative growth , 11 parameters of spatialst ructure of M. hangchowensis were measured , including height , crown amplitude , length of the main stem , maximum length of branch , basal stem diameter , leaf area , number of first-class branches , number of second-class branches , number of leaves growing on the main stem , length and crown amplitude of roots. On the basis of these parameters , space utilization st rategies and degree of differentiation of different local populations were analyzed. The results showed that there exist different patterns of adaptation and clear differences of phenotype among populations. The Huian population occupied a largert ransverse space by extending crown amplitude and its differentiation degree was highest . The Hangzhou population occupied the larger longitudinal space by increasing its height and the differentiation degree was only second to the Huian population. Differentiation degrees of Linhai , Tiantai and Putuo populations were less. The seeds from the Linhai and Tiantai populations were sorted by water and germinated. The plants from lower-layer seeds were larger than those f rom upper-layer seeds , but their space utilization strategies were the same.