Abstract: Field observations and artificial pollination experimentswere conducted on the floral biology,pollination process and breeding characters of Salvia miltiorrhiza. The flowers were bisexual and never-ending,with fifty in a raceme. The blossom of a single flower could last approximately 5-7 days. Pollination peak last from 2 days before blossom to 6 hours after blossom, and the higher stigma recep tive stage was the same time.Self-pollination was possible by temporal and spatial superposition ofmale and female organs for 2 days within the same flower. Seed set percentage of autogamous selfing in isolation without emasculation condition and geitonogamous selfing mainly pollinated through different flower in one p lant. The results indicated that no apomixis occurred, the breeding system was outcrossingwith self2compatibility and pollinatorswere needed based on the pollen-ovule ratio (P/O) , out-crossing index and the results of emasculation, bagging and artificial pollination studies. The most frequent floral visitorswere bees. Itwas inferred elementary that S. m iltiorrhiza belong to often cross2pollinated p lant. The crossing method and breeding strategy were discussed.

Key words: Salvia miltiorrhiza, pollination biology, breeding system, pollination insect