Novel flower-like pattern of radially aligned ZnSe nanoflakes were synthesized via a facile solvothermal method in a mixed solvent of ethylenediamine and hydrazine hydrate. XRD, FESEM and TEM characterizations showed that as-prepared ZnSe sample is metastable wurtzite phase and the nanoflakes have uniform thickness of about 60 nm. The PL spectrum of the as-prepared sample was investigated. The formation conditions of the flower-like pattern of radially aligned ZnSe nanoflakes were discussed and it was found that the ratios of the solvent components are of great importance for the final formation of the flower-like structures. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.