Abstract: The impacts of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ stresses on fluorescence characteristics and root morphology of tall fescue (Festuca elata) and perennial ryegrass (Poa pratensis) were studied. The F_v/F_m of tall fescue under Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ stresses were lower than that in the controls suggesting that the activity of PSⅡ was weakened. However, it was quite different for perennial ryegrass. The F_v/F_m under Cd²⁺ stress was slightly higher than that in the controls indicating that the impact of Cd²⁺ was not significant. However, it was significantly reduced when the concentrations of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ reached 500 mg/kg or more. Meanwhile, the lower concentrations of Zn²⁺ resulted in an improving effect on the PSⅡ system. The qP and ETR of both species under the stresses of 4 heavy metals were lower than those in the controls suggesting that the photosynthetic activity and electron transformation efficiency were inhibited. Except at low concentrations, the root length, root area, numbers of root forks and tips of tall fescue were significantly lower than those in the controls when under stress from four heavy metals: there was a decreasing trend with increasing stress concentration. Perennial ryegrass showed a strong resistance to the stresses when heavy metals were at low concentrations and vice versa.