Abstract: The characteristics of Acanthopanax brachypus community in Ziwu Mountain forest area were studied by the method of sampling. The results show that the seed plants flora of the A. brachypus community is of a temperate feature. The plant species is dispersed and simple. It is an instable community under natural and artificial impacts. The trend of indices of species diversity and abundance is in accordance. The indices of predominance are reverse. The vertical structure of A. brachypus community is clear. The tree layer is mainly composed of Pinus tabulaeformis, Quercus liaotungensis and Platycladus orientalis. The shrub layer takes A. brachypus as its domination The herb layer is mainly Carex rigescens. The communities of A. brachypus can be classified into 4 types: Ass.P. tabulaeformis—A. brachypus—C. rigescens Krecz.+Aster ageratoides, Ass.P. tabulaeformis+Q. liaotungensis—A. brachypus—C. rigescens, Ass. Q. liaotungensis—A. brachypus—C. rigescens, Ass. P. orientalis—A. brachypus+A. sacrorum—C. rigescens. The growth of A. brachypus is mainly influenced by water and temperature. Better growth is observed in the forest areas with better moisture and temperature conditions.

Key words: Acanthopanax brachypus, community characteristics, Ziwu Mountain, hillyloess region