THE INVESTIGATION ON THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE EXI TU-MIAO AUTONOMOUS PREFECTURE

The Exi Tu-Miao autonomous prefecture is located in a mountain area in the southwest of Hubei province. She is at an altitude of 500～2200m above sea level. There are 186 families 854 genus 2088 species of medicinal plants in this area. There are more than 50 species of notable Chinese medicinal plants in this area. Medicinal plants distribution is obviously different because of the three distinct geographical positions, the vertical climate zone (under 800m,800m～1300m,over 1500m)and vegetation form. Exi is the main producing area of Chinese medicinal plants in Hubei province and whole country. The resource of medicinal plants has an open up broad prospects of development.