Abstract: To study the mechanism of stratification in breaking seed dormancy and promoting the germination process, this study measured the activity of antioxidant enzyme system, observed the embryo development and tested the inhibitor content of Lindera communis seeds, which were treated under different lengths of stratification time. The results showed that with the stratification time growing, the capacity of germination and enzyme activities increased gradually in L. communis seed, but the content of malondialdehyde (MDA)level decreased in this progress. The change of moisture level had great impact on germination. The main factors inhibiting germination are mainly from endogenous inhibitors of seed coat. There is after\|ripening effect on embryo in L. communis seed, while stratification plays an important physiological role in breaking seed dormancy quickly.