The relationship between DFR relative expression level and the chemical components content in petals of C. nitidissima Chi. (A) Petals in 5 stages of C. nitidissima Chi.: petals of young bud, petals of big bud, petals of half-open flower, petals of blooming flower, petals of withered flower. (B) CnDFR relative expression level and flavonoids contents and b* in petals of C. nitidissima Chi. DFR-RQ (the relative expression level of DFR) in 5 stages had an M-shaped trend. TF (the content of total flavonoids), Qu7 G (quercetin-7-O-β-D- glucopyranoside) and b* (yellow color index of petals) were negatively correlated with the expression level of CnDFR. (C) CnDFR expression level and polyphenols components. TP (the content of total polyphenols), EC (the content of epicatechin) and C (the content of catechin) were positively correlated with the expression level of CnDFR.