Objective: To investigate the differences in physical and chemical characteristics among germplasm resources of Gardenia jasminoides

in order to provide theoretical support for directional breeding and breeding of new varieties. Method: Main agronomic states of cultivated Gardeniae Fructus collected from 24 sources were determined. Content of geniposide

crocin Ⅰ and crocin Ⅱ in Gardeniae Fructus of different origins were determined using UPLC. Interrelationships between germplasm resources and quality were investigated by descriptive statistics

principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Result: There was no significant difference in root length

leaf shape index

the number of leaves and diameter of G. jasminoides among 24 germplasm resources. The quality of six medicines

namely Jiangxi 1

Jiangxi 2

Jiangxi 4

Zhejiang 1

Zhejiang 3

Zhejiang 4

did not reach the standards set forth in the Chinese pharmacopoeia (2015). The 11 quality indexes were investigated by principal component analysis. The first four components representing 85.14% of the total variability on the basis of the total variance explained and the screen plot of principal component analysis. The first principal component was related to leaf length and leaf width

which were the seedling leaf shape factor. The second principal component was related to geniposide

crocin Ⅰ

crocin Ⅱ and crocins

which were the herbs' intrinsic quality factor. The third principal component was related to fresh seedling weight and dry seedling weight

which were the seedling weight factor. The fourth principal component was related to seedling height

ratio of seedling height and root length

and leaf opening degree

which were the seedling form factor. PCA visually displayed the sequence of quality of Gardeniae Fructus HCA classified the 24 Gardeniae Fructus of different germplasm resources into three main categories on the basis of the measurement parameters

which was consistent with the results of PCA. Conclusion: This study shows that Sichuan 1

3

4

and Jiangxi 7 species of Gardeniae Fructus has a quality

and can be included in directional breeding and breeding of new varieties.