A phylosociological study on the lucidophyllous forests in Japan was made on the following standpoints. 1 The lucidophyllous forests throughout Japan were composed of 1063 species (incl. subspecies and varieties). 2 I riomotejima Island, Okinawajima Island, Amamioshima Island, Yakushima Islands and southern Kyushu were recognized the distribution center of the component species. 3 The component species were classified into eight groups of the geographical distribution. 4 The distributional responses of the component species along the environmental gradients were examined based on the direct gradient analysis. 5 The correlation between number of component species and area of islands in the Nansei Ialands was related by a highly significant linear regression. 6 The geographical distribution of the component species was studied from the viewpoint of the refuge during the maximum stage of the last glacial and the migration from the refugia during the postglacial period. 7 The number of component species of fragmented lucidophyllous forests preserved in the precincts of shrines and temples had a high positive correlation with the area. As a result, it was ascertained that the class Camellietea japonicae included the following three orders, seven alliances and twenty five associations which were recognized natural vegetation.
