Volume, specific surface area and the longest axial linear dimension are main morphological characters of phytoplankton. These characters reflect the ability of phytoplankton in competing for resources and resisting grazing. The morphological characters of cells change with the seasonal environmental conditions. It was assumed that limited seasonal changes occurred on phytoplankton cells morphological characters in community, due to the small seasonal variation of environmental conditions in tropical reservoirs. To test this assumption, the seasonal dynamic of phytoplankton morphological characters and the affecting factors in large tropical reservoir (Gaozhou Reservoir)were analyzed. The phytoplankton community was dominated by filamentous species and unicellular algae in Gaozhou Reservoir. In community level, the average cell volume was 108.52-753.25 μm³, the average cell specific surface area was 0.93-2.08 μm^-1, the average cell longest axial linear dimension was 5.21-17.44 μm, and the three morphological characters all showed seasonal dynamics. The average cell volume and the average cell longest axial linear dimension were correlated negatively with total nitrogen, and positively with temperature, the average cell specific surface area was correlated negatively with nitrate nitrogen. Dolichospermum mucosa and Staurastrum muticum were the dominant phytoplankton species in Gaozhou Reservoir, and they both showed morphological plasticity and seasonal dynamics in the morphological characters. The average cell volume and the average cell longest axial linear dimension of D. mucosa were correlated positively with total nitrogen, and negatively with temperature. The average cell specific surface area of D. mucosa was correlated negatively with total nitrogen, and positively with temperature. The average cell volume and the average cell longest axial linear dimension of S. muticum were correlated positively with soluble reactive phosphate. In conclusion, the morphological characters of phytoplankton in community and species were different with seasonal dynamics in Gaozhou Reservoir. The large cells dominated phytoplankton community in summer, but small cells in other season. Temperature, the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus were the primary factors to explain the morphological variation of phytoplankton.