Abstract: Effect of light, as affected by orientation and canopy, on deformation of fruits and seeds of Magnolia officinalis was explored through analysis of fruits and seeds collected from different positions or bearings of the canopy of M. officinalis trees for phenotypic index. Results show that the effect of orientation is significant, making the fruits and seeds in the south and east of the canopy better than those in the west in phenotypic shape, and those in the north the poorest. The effect of position in the canopy is also significant. The fruits and seeds growing in the middle layer of the canopy are better than those in the top layer, and much better than those in the bottom layer. No significant synergistic effect of orientation and canopy is found. Compared with fruits, seeds are stabler in phenotypic character.

Key words: endangered plant, endangered species, Magnolia officinalis, orientation, canopy, fruit and seed traits, phenotypic deformation