We used the sample-plot survey method to examine the structural characteristics of the Potentilla glabra community; we analyzed the change in species diversity with changing altitude gradient and the similarity of the community along the altitude gradient, and the association between diversity indexes of the community. (1) At the same elevation gradient, the diversity index for community α showed the herb layer greater than the shrub layer. The ecological dominance index (D) did not differ by elevation gradient, and other indexes were basically consistent. The P. glabra community appeared between 1 700-1 900 m and 2 100-2 300 m, where the diversity index of the shrub and herb layers was higher, with lower index at 1 900-2 000 m. In addition, except for the J₂, all diversity indexes showed significant positive correlation. (2) With increasing altitude, the 4 diversity indexes for community β for the shrub and herb layers increased with increasing altitude; the diversity index was higher for the herb than shrub layer on the whole. (3) With increasing altitude, the Jaccard similarity index decreased. However, with sea level > 2 300 m, the similarity between communities increased and the community was relatively stable.