In order to explore the feasibility to use Salix matsudana in the phytoremediation of aniline contaminated wastewater, hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the effects of aniline stress on photosynthetic, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and its removal by S. matsudana. It was found that the percent removal of aniline by S. matsudana was 78.25% on average. With the increase of aniline concentration, biomass, ΦPSII (Effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry), Pn (Net photosynthetic rate), Tr (Transpiration rate), Gs (Stomatal conductance), Ls (Stomatal limitation), WUE (Water use efficiency), Fm (Maximal fluorescence), qP (photochemical quenching coefficient) and Fv/Fm (Maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry) of S. matsudana decreased significantly compared with the control group, while Ci (Intercellular CO₂ concentration), ETR (Electron transport rate) increased significantly, and NPQ (Non-photochemical quenching coefficient) increased firstly and then decreased. It is concluded that aniline inhibited Pn of S. matsudana was mainly through non-stomatal factors. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameter change showed that aniline damaged PSII photosynthetic system of S. matsudana. It is suggested that S. matsudana should be used in phytoremediation aniline when the aniline concentration was lower than 220 mg·L^-1.