The change of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, O-J-I-P transients and psbA gene expression were investigated in the leaves of Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum on the natural condition in winter, in order to elucidate physiological responses of photosystem II (PS II) activity to winter stresses. The photochemical efficiencies of PS II, Fv/Fm, were significantly low in winter, contrary to its high value in summer. The values of I -qN and I-qP were lower in midday than at dawn or night both in summer and winter, although their decrease in midday was less in winter than in summer. In the O-J-I-P transients, the fluorescence intensity of J, I, P-step decreased remarkably depending on temperature drop in winter. And the D I reaction center protein of PS II decreased in late winter more than in early winter, concomitantly with relatively high content of description products of psbA gene in midday. These results indicate that low temperature in winter causes irreversible damage to PS II and subsequently leads to cell death.