Abstract: This paper studied wild habitat characteristics and ecological characteristics of associated species of Passiflora edulis in karst peaks and valleys in Guizhou. The results showed that the habitat of Passiflora edulis in karst peak-cluster depression was complex and varied, semi-continuous soil and sporadic, rocky desert. The slope of rocky desertification was steep and the soil layer was thin, the erosion of soil by rain leaded to serious loss of organic matter, serious erosion, high bulk density of soil and poor soil structure. The branches of Passiflora edulis sprout among rocks mostly. In that area, the other dominant species included Lonicera japonica, Broussonetia papyrifera, Rubus biflorus, Toona sinensis and Alangium chinense. The important values of Broussonetia papyrifera and Rubus biflorus were 60.54% and 51.64%. The top seven niche widths were Passiflora edulis, Rubus biflorus, Broussonetia papyrifera, Alangium chinense, Toona sinensis, Lonicera japonica and Smilax china Linn. The niche overlap values of Passiflora edulis and companion species were 0.023-0.088 (L_ih) and the reverse were 0.014-0.075 (L_hi). Vines were abundant in the survey area, mainly shrub and vine. There was no obvious niche overlap among 20 dominant species, and there were significant differences in resource utilization among different populations, and the trend of resource sharing among populations was not prominent. The results showed that Passiflora edulis community was unstable. Passiflora edulis had significant bidirectional niche overlap with Broussonetia papyrifera, Rubus biflorus, Toona sinensis and Alangium chinense. Passiflora edulis and its associated species could coexist mutually, adapt to the environment, grow rapidly, and produce high biomass. In the future, Passiflora edulis resources could be reasonably exploited and utilized to promote the development of local industries.

Key words: Passiflora edulis, karst, ecological niche, associated species