A bacterium(strain ycsd03) capable of growing with p-chlorophenol(p-CP) as sole carbon and energy sources was isolated from rhizosphere soil in phragmites wetland by using the enrichment culture contaminated with p-CP concentration gradient of 20, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 mgldrL-1. Morphology, physio-biochemical characteristics and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequence indicate that strain ycsd03, which is Gram-positive, facultative aerobic and mobility and the shape of its single cell is pole, clearly belongs to Bacillus licheniformis. The optimal initial p-CP concentration, degradation temperature and pH value for satisfactive degradation were about 120 mgldrL-1, 30degC and pH7.0, for 4d in minimal medium culture fluids at vaccination of 10%. Growth of strain ycsd03 cells was inhibited by p-CP at the concentration up to 200 mgldrL-1. The biodegradation of p-CP by ycsd03 cells had a cutty lag phase at initial concentrations more than 40 mgldrL-1 while no lag phase at concentrations less than 40 mgldrL-1. Results could offer useful information for the application of strain ycsd03 in bioremediation or the control of p-chlorophenol -polluted environment.