In order to understand the growth and distribution conditions of the herbage in different foresttypes of Ziwuling Mountains, we conducted an investigation on the species composition , structural characteristics, and differences under three forest types of Quercus liaotungensis , Pinus tabulaeformis , and Pinusshenkanensis and compared those items with those on south-faced slope . Our results show that the total number of species presenting under the three forest types and on south-faced slope ranges from 21 to 34. The species diversity of herbaceous plants under P . tabulaef ormis forest is close to that on south-faced slope . The height , degree of coverage , and herbaceous biodiversity of herbaceous plants in the three forest types are significantly different to those on south-faced slope , but no difference is found among the three forest types.The order of species , by the correlation of herbaceous under the three forest types and on south-faced slope ,is Q . liaotungensis >species on south-faced slope >P . tabulaef ormis >P . shenkanensis. Generally speaking , closing environmental closure leads to lower density and less biodiversity of herbaceous in forest . However , density and species biodiversity of herbaceous under well conserved Q. liaotungensis and artificial P.