Abstract: Aims Loropetalum chinense shrubland is a widespread and ecologically significant vegetation type in subtropical China, contributing to water regulation, soil conservation, and biodiversity maintenance. However, its ecological attributes and classification at the national scale remain poorly understood. This study provides the first systematic characterization of the structure, distribution, and environmental context of L. chinense shrublands and develops a comprehensive classification to inform conservation and management strategies. Methods We conducted field surveys in 238 plots across the L. chinense shrubland’s distribution from 2011 to 2019. Community type were identified using classical Chinese vegetation classification combined with quantitative methods. We identified community types and quantitatively described their structure and floristic traits, topography, climate, and soil data were analyzed to characterize ecological conditions. Important findings Loropetalum chinense shrublands are primarily distributed in low-to-mid mountains and hilly regions (35–1,480 m a.s.l.) under warm, humid subtropical climates (mean annual temperatures: 13.6–20.7 ℃; mean coldest month temperatures: 1.6–11.7 ℃; annual precipitation: 957–1,802 mm; humidity index: 0.9–1.0). The shrublands occur on diverse soils—red, yellow, latosol, yellow-brown, and limestone—with pH values ranging from 3.71 to 9.08. The flora comprises 598 vascular plant species from 105 families and 318 genera, with tropical genera contributing 52.5% and temperate genera 38.1%. The communities are woody-dominated (67.4%), with evergreen species slightly more prevalent than deciduous species. Herbaceous species are mainly perennial herbs and ferns (80%). Structurally, the shrub layer has 80% mean coverage (mean height: 1.7 m; species richness: 12), where L. chinense is dominant or co-dominant (importance value: 33%). The herbaceous and moss layers averaged 33% and 27% coverage, respectively. The L. chinense alliance was classified into six association groups and 34 associations, placed within Hilly Subtropical Evergreen Broadleaf Shrubland alliance group under the Subtropical Evergreen Broadleaf Shrubland subformation of the Evergreen Broadleaf Shrubland formation in China’s national vegetation classification. This study provides the nationwide synthesis of L. chinense shrubland characteristics, delivering essential data for conservation planning and sustainable ecosystem management in subtropical China.

Key words: community survey, vegetation classification, alliance, association group, association