In order to build foundation for spruce identification in seedling stage and evaluation of adaptability,one year old seedlings from seven species of Picea were selected to study the interspecific and intraspecific genetic variation of basic needle morphological characters.The results showed that:(1)Needle length,needle width,needle length/width,fresh weight,dry weight and moisture content in winter differed significantly among species.There were abundant genetic variations within and among the seven species.(2)The coefficient of variation of needle characters as follows:the fresh weight (47.65%)>dry weight (40.94%)>needle width (24.98%)>needle length (22.39%)>needle width/length (21.32%)>moisture content in winter (12.75%),the coefficient of variation of fresh weight was the largest,and the moisture content in winter was the most stable character.(3)To white spruce,the intraspecific variation coefficient of fresh weight and dry weight was the largest,was 50.85% and 38.01%,respectively.The coefficient variation of needle moisture content in winter of blue spruce was the smallest (2.11%).(4)There were very significant correlations among the six indices mentioned above except for needle length/width with fresh weight,dry weight and moisture content in winter.The relationship of each needle character and height,seedling height growth were significant or very significant excepting needle length/width.(5)The determination coefficients of needle dry weight and needle length,needle width were between 0.793～0.993.Seven species could be divided into three categories according to the needle length,and their seedlings could be identified and selected according to needle length,width and length/width,fresh weight,color and stomatal band.