Abstract:This study selected 8 main Protea spp. cultivars planted in Yunnan as experimental materials, and collected data on 58 phenotypic traits(23 quantitative characters and 35 descriptive traits). Diversity analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis were used to study their genetic diversity. The results of diversity analysis showed that the genetic diversity index of the 35 descriptive traits ranged from 0.38 to 1.56, with an average genetic diversity index of 0.84, and the diversity index of leaf tip shape was the highest, with a value of 1.56. The diversity index of 23 quantitative characters ranged from 0.66 to 1.73, with its coefficient of variation ranged from 6.57% to 79.03%, with an average coefficient of variation of 28.25%. Among them, the coefficient of variation of the narrow base length of the inflorescence was the highest, with a coefficient of variation of 79.03%. The six characteristics of leaf width, branch length, narrow base length of inflorescence, inflorescence diameter, style length, and pollen presenter length showed skewed distributions. Correlation analysis results showed that a highly significant positive correlation(P<0.01) between the diameter of inflorescence and the shape of petiole and bud; between the ratio of inflorescence length to width and the shape of inner bracts, and the color of florets; as well as between the shape of inner bract and the color of floret. Principal component analysis was used four principal components to reflect the majority of information for 58 traits, with a cumulative contribution rate of 83.17%. The main traits were classified into inflorescence characteristic trait factors, leaf characteristic trait factors, flower branch characteristic trait factors, and plant morphology factors. At genetic distance of M1=20, Q-type clustering grouped the 8 varieties into 2 clusters. The main ornamental trait of Protea spp. presented rich genetic diversity, which was influenced by factors such as inflorescence characteristics, leaf characteristics, flower branch characteristics, and plant morphology.