Growth responses to light conditions and germination traits of some representative plant species native of a satoyama region in Gunma Pref., Japan, were investigated to clarify the mechanisms promote high species diversity. Responses of germination to temperature conditions varied much among the investigated species. That is, germination ratio of a NT species, Primula sieboldii, was increased with longer (1 to 4 months) cold stratification and optimum temperature was 25/13 C. In contrast, a quite rare species, Diarrhena fauriei, did not show such trends and germination ratio was always lower than 20%. Relative growth rates of all the species investigated were reduced under reduced light conditions lower than 13%, but reduction ratios varied depending on their microhabitat conditions. These species-specific response patterns may be one of the promoters for high species diversity.