Abstract: The position effect of seeds within a plant is a common phenomenon, but its influence on seed germination and seedling establishment is not well known. The objective of this study was to determine whether there were differences in seed germination strategies and seedling growth among seeds obtained from different (upper, middle, and lower) positions of the plant for three medicinal licorice species (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza inflata, Glycyrrhiza uralensis).Seeds were collected from different positions on the plant, and then seed germination, seedling growth, seedling chlorophyll content, and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured. The main findings can be summarized as follows: 1) In G. glabra, the seedling emergence rates were higher for seeds from upper and middle positions than for seeds from the lower position. For G. inflate and G. uralensis, the seedling emergence rates were higher for seeds from middle and lower positions than for those from the upper position. The seedling survival rate did not differ significantly among the different collection positions. 2) The seedlings from the seeds with a high seedling emergence rate had higher total biomass, root length, and root∶shoot ratio than those of other seedlings, and a larger proportion of their biomass was allocated to below-ground parts, which can enhance seedling resistance and environmental adaptability. The seedling chlorophyll content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F_v, F_m, F_v/F_m, F_v/F₀, electron transmission speed in the light reaction) were also higher in seedlings from seeds with a high seedling emergence rate. In addition, the fluorescence kinetics curve showed that these seedlings had a strong fluorescence intensity and high electron and light capture rates, which can enhance seedling establishment. In contrast, the seedlings from seeds with a low seedling emergence rate had greater plant height and more leaves to occupy space and intercept light. These results indicate that the seeds from different positions on the plant have different germination and seedling growth strategies, which are of great ecological significance for seedling establishment and population regeneration of wild licorice plants.