Abstract:In order to prevent and remove effectively invasive plant Praxelis clematidea, the potential distribution area and dominant environment variables were predicted by using the maximum entropy model (Maxent) and the Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. The accuracy of prediction was evaluated at "excellent" level by AUC (area under curve) method. The results showed that the prediction of Maxent model had high reliability. The potential suitable growth area of P. clematidea in China was 785 985 km2, accounting for 8.19% of all China land area. This species mainly distributed in southern and southeastern China, especially in Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan and Guangxi (high suitable areas). The distribution of P. clematidea in Fujian Province was the widest, which 61.98% of the area was suitable for growth. It was high suitable area of P. clematidea in coast of south Fujian, but the population density in the north of Fujian was low relatively. The minimum temperature in February might be the restrictive variable of the distribution of P. clematidea with the contribution rate of 61.7%. Precipitation of the driest quarter and maximum temperature in September have a certain influence on its distribution. These provided a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of P. clematidea and some effective measures must be taken to prevent its spread for the further.