Abstract: The photosynthetic responses of leaves of Nothapodytes pittosporoides (Oliv.) Sleum., a medicinal plant, are tested and analyzed under different drought and light intensity stresses using an LI-6400 portable photosynthetic instrument. The results show that the photosynthetic characteristics of N. pittosporoides are significantly responsive to the changes of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and soil moisture content. Under low light conditions (PAR < 200 μmol/(m²·s)), the light compensation point (LCP) first decreases and then increases with the decrease of soil moisture content, while the apparent quantum yield (AQE) gradually decreases. Under strong light conditions (PAR>600 μmol/(m²·s)), the light saturation point (LSP) first decreases and then increases with a peak at a moisture content of 10.5%~22.0%. The net photosynthesis rate (P_n) and water use efficiency (WUE) are in a stable stage and keep around the maximum value. The N. pittosporoides shows better utilization of low light, and is also with good adaptability to strong light. The soil moisture content of 10.5% might be its extreme drought tolerance, and that of 22.0%~25.8% is more suitable for N. pittosporoides growth.