A total of 10 annuals and perennials of herbaceous species were investigated in reservoir riparian region of Three Gorges Reservoir. The correlations between the plants' nutrient release rate and the substrate composition and structural matter were studied under flooding condition. The decomposition rates of different species differed substantially, with the maximum of Alternanthera philoxeroides (decomposition rate constant k = 0.0228 d(-1)) and the minimum of Microstegium vimineum (k = 0.0029 d(-1)). There was no significant difference in k between annuals and perennials. There was no significant difference in nitrogen and phosphorus contents between annuals and perennials. Paspalum paspaloides and Bidens pilosa released more nutrients into the water than the other species. A. philoxeroides had a higher potential to release nitrogen while it had little effect on water phosphorus compared with the other species. Total N, P contents in the water were negatively correlated with the plants' decomposition rate, initial C content, C:N ratio, lignin:N ratio, and positively correlated with initial contents of K, Ca and N in plants.