Abstract: The morphological characteristics and nutrient components of Gnetum parvifolium seeds from three sites of Hainan province were studied in order to exploit their values of utilization. At the morphological level, the characteristics of seeds in different sites were significantly different, however, those were similar among different individual plants from the same sites; At the nutrient level, all the indications of seeds had significant differences except total sugars from three sites and total starches from different individuals; Water contents, total fats and flavone contents of seeds had obvious differences from different sites and different individual plants from the same sites. The total fats in seeds were low, but it contained the essential fatty acids for human body. Water contents (41.20%), total starches (40.85%) and flavone contents (15.07%) of seeds from Diaoluoshan were significantly higher than the others, which might result from the high precipitation, mild temperature and high-quality soil. The results suggested that the seeds of G.parvifolium are rich in nutrient components, but its natural habitats have obvious effects on the morphology and nutrient components of seeds, hence, it is necessary to perform the systematic research for its exploition and utilization.

Key words: Gnetum parvifolium, morphology, nutrient component, flavone, precipitation, geographical distribution