Abstract: Dominant climatic factors affecting distribution of Zanthoxylum armatum in Hunan Province were explored, its potential suitable distribution areas were simulated, and a reasonable basis for resource investigation, protection, and cultivation of Zanthoxylum armatum was provided．Based on distribution points and environmental factors of Zanthoxylum armatum in Hunan Province, MaxEnt model was used to predict potential changes of Zanthoxylum armatum in suitable areas of Hunan Province in 4 periods under current climate model and 3 future climate change models, and main environmental factors affecting distribution of Zanthoxylum armatum in Hunan Province and their suitable areas were comprehensively analyzed．Results showed that potential suitable area of Zanthoxylum armatum in Hunan Province was mainly distributed in northwest Hunan, with a total suitable area of 103400 km² and a high suitable area of12500 km²．Precipitation and temperature were main environmental factors that affect distribution of Zanthoxylum armatum , and seasonal variation of precipitation an precipitation in the coldest quarter had the greatest influence on distribution of Zanthoxylum armatum．Under three different climate change models, the area of suitable area of Zanthoxylum armatum in Hunan Province decreased under the low emission scenario, and proportion of suitable area remained basically unchanged under medium emission scenario and high emission scenario, while proportion of high emission scenario changed exactly the opposite, in low emission scenario, area of high emission scenario increased, and area of medium emission scenario and high emission scenario decreased．