Abstract: Seed dormancy and germination are important for germplasm resource conservation, population regeneration, and community establishment. Endogenous hormones have been gained great attention for their effects on seed germination and dormancy. However, the general theory or hypothesis has not been formed, especially few information is available on their adaptability to environmental conditions. In this study, seeds of Aconitum gymnandrum, a common species from deteriorated alpine meadows along a altitude gradient on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, were used to explore the dynamics of endogenous hormones contents (ZT, GA, IAA, ABA) in seeds at room temperature and low temperature storage and their influence on seed germination. The results showed that seeds of Aconitum gymnandrumhad deep dormancy (the highest percent germination during experiment was 37.33%), with lower temperature storage being beneficial to seed dormancy. The percent germination from higher altitude was significantly higher than those from lower altitude, which might be due to the higher germination-promoting endogenous hormone contents (ZT, GA) and lower ABA contents. Seed germination or dormancy release was not caused by the increase in the contents of germination-promoting endogenous hormones or the decrease in ABA contents. IAA had positive effects on seed germination of Aconitum gymnandrum.