Medicinal Plant Resources and Their Diversity in Liupanshan of Ningxia

In order to study the distribution and diversity of medicinal plants resources in Liupanshan of Ningxia,a systematic survey was conducted in 2005 and 2006.503 species(including varieties) of medicinal tracheophyta plants belonging to 304 genera and 91 families were found in Liupanshan,which accounted for 64.04%,80.63% and 84.07% of the total species,genera and families of plant resources there respectively and for 55.40%,67.99% and 75.40% of the total species,genera and families of medicinal plant resources of Ningxia.There are 3 species of endangered medicinal under the national protection,which are Sinopodophyllum emodi,Astragalus membranaceus and Juglans regia.In different life forms there are 302 species of perennial herbs medicinal plants,which accounted for 60.04% of total medicinal plants in Liupanshan.In medicinal organs,the medicinal plants of whole plant,root and rhizomes used for medicinal materials accounted for 35.39% and 39.55% of the total number of medicinal plants respectively.78.57% of genera belonged to temperate type.Thought there are rich and varied medical plants,it is frail in flora composition.Therefore protection should be improved and resources must be exploited scientifically.