Abstract: In order to clarify conditions needed for the seed dormancy release of Anemone rivularis, and provide reference information for grassland management and A. rivularis cultivation, the effects on A. rivularis seed germination characteristics of dry storage at room temperature and stratification in natural conditions in an alpine meadow were studied. Storage time, peeling and illumination affected the time required for germination, germination percentage and germination index of A. rivularis seed. With increased storage time, time required for germination of peeled A. rivularis seeds decreased and the germination percentage and germination index increased to different degrees. With illumination, the number of days required for germination of both peeled and unpeeled A. rivularis seeds stored for 40 to 180 days was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of the same seeds without storage. There were no significant differences in the germination of peeled A. rivularis between seeds stored for 40, 80, 150 or 180 days although germination was always significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of same seeds without storage. The germination of unpeeled A. rivularis seeds stored at room temperature for 180 days was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of same seeds stored for 80 and 150 days, which in turn was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of same seeds stored for 40 days. All of the germination percentages of unpeeled A. rivularis seeds with storage were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of same seeds without storage. Both illumination and stratification in a natural alpine meadow during the cold season reduced the days required for germination of A. rivularis seeds and improved germination percentage and germination index. The time required for initial germination of A. rivularis seeds with stratification and trampling and subject to alternating temperatures of 30/20℃or 20/10℃ was significantly shorter (P<0.05) than that of seeds subjected to stratification without trampling under the same germination conditions. The germination of A. rivularis seeds with treatments comprising stratification and trampling at alternating temperatures of 25/15℃ and 20/10℃was 38.0% and 35.3%, respectively, which was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of treatments comprising stratification without trampling under the same germination conditions (22.7% and 14.0%, respectively). However, unpeeled A. rivularis seeds stored dry at room temperature in the same period (November to April) did not germinate. Un-germinated A. rivularis seeds had a 40.2% germination rate after stratification in Tianzhu alpine meadow from October to August in the following year. Un-germinated seeds could also germinate under alternating temperature regimes ranging from 30/20℃ to 20/5℃ with the highest observed germination percentage being 15.3%at 30/20℃.This indicates that the majority of seeds still remained dormant after initial treatment.