Initial flame development and propagation were visualized under different fuel injection timings to relate the initial flame development to the engine stability in a port injection SI engine. Experiments were performed in an optical single cylinder engine modified from a production engine and images were captured through the quartz window mounted in the piston by an intensified CCD camera. Stratification state was controlled by varying injection timing. Under each injection condition, the flame images were captured at the pre-set crank angles. These were averaged and processed to characterize the flame. The flame stability was estimated by the weighted average of flame area, luminosity, and standard deviation of flame area. Results show that stratification state according to injection timing did not affect on the direction of flame propagation. The flame development and the initial flame stability are strongly dependent on the stratified conditions and the initial flame stability governs the engine stability and lean misfire limit.