Flora characteristics of wild medicinal plants in typical vegetation areas in Taibai Mountain

Authors Zhang Ying; Dong Guohua; Du Yanling; Liu Pu; Kang Bing

Journal Journal of Northwest A & F University. Natural Science Edition , 2013,11:41

Abstract 【Objective】Through the survey on wild medicinal plant resources of different vegetation areas in Taibai Mountain,flora characteristics of medicinal plants were studied and the distribution law of medicinal plants resources in different vegetation areas was investigated.【Method】According to the sample point surveys, four vegetation type areas including Broadleaf forest area,Coniferous forest area,needle and broad-leaved mixed forest area and Alpine shrub grass area were specified.Then we established samples for each vegetation type.Growth form,basic composition of flora and geographical element of medicinal plants in different vegetation areas were studied.【Result】There were 221 wild medicinal plants among typical vegetation communities in Taibai Mountain Nature Reserve,which subordinated to 75 families and 180 genera.According to Whittaker growth form system,the plant growth forms were divided into 4 kinds,including herb,shrub,arbor and vine.There were 119 herb medicinal plants,62 shrub medicinal plants,17 arbor medicinal plants and 23 vine medicinal plants.The medicinal plants of coniferous forest area and broadleaf forest area were abundant,while the medicinal plants of needle and broad-leaved mixed forest area and alpine shrub grass area were deficient.All areal types could be divided into 13 kinds.The flora had wide relationship with other regions,the areal types of the flora were various,and the temperate elements in the families and genera had advantages.【Conclusion】Diversities of medicinal plants were related to height above sea level and certain vegetation community types.The growth status and growth characteristics of different forest communities in arbor layer changed forest light,nutrient cycle,and the growth of undergrowths.