Abstract: Wild germplasm of Osmanthus fragrans Lour. have rich morphologic and genetic variations. However，due to excessive exploration and utilization in recent decades，the distribution range，size and number of natural populations decreased rapidly，and the habitats fragmented seriously. According to some previous references，O. fragrans originated from the east of the Himalayas i.e. the Southeast of China including Sichuan，Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. However，along with the discovery of natural populations successively in Hunan，Fujian and Zhejiang provinces，the natural distribution of this species need to be re-considered. In this paper，combining amount of field investigation discoveries and previous references，the natural geographic distribution and population characteristics were summarized and raised，and the relationship between the origin of cultivars and wild germplasm was discussed. These will provide a reference for the protection and utilization of natural populations.

Key words: Osmanthus fragrans, geographic distribution, population characteristic, cultivar origin, protection, utilization