Abstract: The growth dynamics of Chuanmingshen violaceum was observed during the late cultivation periods and the content of starch,soluble sugar,water-soluble extract and imperatorin in root was determined,the correlation between growth dynamics and quality was then analyzed.As the results showed,during the late cultivation period,the content of starch decreased rapidly.In contract,soluble sugar and water-soluble extract increased,and the content of imperatorin was too low to make a comparison.A significant positive correlation was found between starch content and drying rate in root which makes the biggest contribution to the yield.Hence,mid-March is the most suitable harvest time of C.violaceum in Qingbaijiang for the highest yield and extract amount per plant,starch content of dry root was higher than 60%,root drying rate was above 45%.The plants was in its leafiest time and 80% of their peduncles can grow up to 55-70 cm at that time.

Key words: Chuanmingshen violaceum, growth dynamics, starch content, suitable harvest time