The Characteristics of the Rare and Endangered Tibetan Medicinal Plant Resources in Shannan Region

Authors Lu Jie; Lan Xiaozhong

Journal Journal of Natural Resources , 2013,11:28

Abstract The rare and endangered plants are used more and more widely in Tibetan medicinal industry; however, there has been a lack of a clear understanding of these resources and their reasonable applications. In this study, the rare and endangered Tibetan medicinal plants in Shannan Region were investigated and analyzed by field work, interviews with local people, sample collection and laboratory bioassay. Results showed that there were 49 species of rare and endangered plants, belonging to 25 families and 43 genera in Shannan Region, accounting for 65.33% of the total distribute in Tibet. There were 53.06% of the endemic species in China, of which 20.41% were distributed in Tibet, and 73.47% were in Cuona County. The species living in hillside was 75.51%, of which 61.22% were distributed at altitude over 3000 m, the perennial herb accounted for 83.67% and the plants using entire grass as medicinal materials accounted for 55.10%. The mean biomass of individual plant of Rubus biflorus was the highest (1830.48 g) and the lowest one was only 0.31 g for Cordyceps sinensis. The root-shoot ratio of Asparagus filicinus was the maximum (5.31), the minimum was 0.04 for Przewalskia tangutica. The output and resource of Rubus biflorus were the highest, being respectively 36.61 kg/hm~2 and 34040.78 t, followed by Berberis Agricola being 27.00 kg/hm~2 and 10759.37 t and the lowest were 0.004 kg/hm~2 and 2.37 t for Halenia elliptica. The output and resource of grade Ⅰ endangered Tibetan medicinal plants were ranked in the order of Rhodiola crenulata > Sinopodophyllum hexandrum > Mirabilis himalaica > Gentiana tibetica > Codonopsis convolvulacea > Corydalis boweri > Corydalis pygmaea > Aconitum gymnandrum > Meconopsis torquata > Gentiana urnula > Paraquilegia anemonoides > Veronica ciliata > Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata > Cordyceps sinensis. The resources reserves of the rare and endangered plants were 60959.12 t in Shannan Region, that of medicinal parts were 48663.97 t, 79.83% of the total. The reserves of Cordyceps sinensis with a great economic value was 9.30 t. In a word, there were abundant species with special characteristics, rich reserves and high economic value in Shannan. The main reason for the rareness and endangerment of the Tibetan medicinal plants were the unique biological characteristics, fragile ecological environment and human disturbance. Suggestions were provided for the management and sustainable utilization of the rare and endangered plants in Shannan Region.

Species covered 羊齿天门冬 Asparagus filicinus 鸡蛋参(原变种) Codonopsis convolvulacea 乳突拟耧斗菜 Paraquilegia anemonoides 露蕊乌头 Aconitum gymnandrum 毛瓣绿绒蒿 Meconopsis torquata 大花红景天 Rhodiola crenulata 篦齿虎耳草（变种） Saxifraga umbellulata var. pectinata 粉枝莓(原变种) Rubus biflorus 西藏秦艽 Gentiana tibetica 椭圆叶花锚(原变种) Halenia elliptica 长果婆婆纳 Veronica ciliata 马尿泡 Przewalskia tangutica 桃儿七 Sinopodophyllum hexandrum 山紫茉莉 Oxybaphus himalaicus