Abstract: There were a large area of bamboos growing in China, where was the distribution center of bamboos in the world. At the same time, Phyllostachys was regarded as the most resourceful genus of bamboos in China, which accounted for two-thirds of the national bamboo forest area and had more than fifty species. This paper dealed with the genetic diversity research of Phyllostachys for the distribution and classification of germplasm resources of Phyllostachys from traditional morphological classification to modern vascular bundle anatomy, biochemical classification, cell classification and molecular marker method. And it focused on the economical, medicinal, ecological, landscape, cultural and aesthetic values. The problems were also comprehensively analyzed for the study of germplasm resources and application values, and prospects were put out for the classification research and application of Phyllostachys germplasm resources in the future.