Using lowtemperature hydrothermal methods, nanoscale lanthanide phenylphosphonates species with different morphologies, namely, nanoparticles and nanorods, have been systematically synthesized. The possible growth mechanism of these nanorods was discussed. Xraydiffraction,　transmissionelectronmicroscopy, electrondiffraction, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize these materials. The photoluminescent properties of Eu(O3PC6H5) (HO3PC6H5) and La0.91Eu0.09(O3PC6H5) (HO3PC6H5) nanorods were discussed.