Skip to main content
. 2022 Nov 18;18:67. doi: 10.1186/s13002-022-00565-1

Table 2.

List of plants used by the Tibetan people in Gyirong

Botanical taxon Botanical family Local name(s) Voucher Parts used Local use (No. of URs) and preparation UR CI
Chenopodium album L Amaranthaceae Lei1; niu1; niu1-che1-ma1 QTB-JL-42 Leaves Food: vegetable (14), used to make bun or fry 14 0.111
Allium chrysanthum Regel Amaryllidaceae Guo1-ba1 QTB-JL-21 Roots Food: vegetable (20), used to make bun or fry; seasoning (7), cook it with pork and potatoes 27 0.214
Allium fasciculatum Rendle Amaryllidaceae Ou1-ga1 QTP-EBT-3050 Aerial parts Food: vegetable (10), used to make bun or fry; seasoning (7), cook it with pork and potatoes 17 0.135
Allium prattii C.H.Wright Amaryllidaceae Ru1-ba1; ri1-guo1 QTP-EBT-3009 Aerial parts Food: vegetable (126), used to make bun or fry; seasoning (9), cook it with pork and potatoes 141 1.119
Allium przewalskianum Regel Amaryllidaceae Ri1-guo1; zen1-bu1 QTP-EBT-3200 Leaves Food: seasoning (19), as part of the dip; economic (1), be sold in stores 20 0.159
Allium wallichii Kunth Amaryllidaceae Ru1-guo1 QTB-JL-55 Aerial parts Food: seasoning (6), cook it with pork and potatoes or as part of the dip 6 0.048
Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels Apiaceae Dang1-gui1 QTB-JL-41 Roots Medicine: tonic (3), cook it with meat 3 0.024
Carum carvi L Apiaceae Guo1-nie1 QTB-JL-63 Leaves; seeds Food: vegetable (25), the leaves are cooked with other ingredients; seasoning (35), use seeds to make a dip or a sausage; medicine: gastralgia (5), seed soak in water 65 0.516
Chaerophyllum villosum Wall. ex DC Apiaceae Da1-ga1-li1 QTB-JL-20 Leaves Economic (3), be sold in stores; food: seasoning (1), cook its leaves with meat; fodder (1): the leaves are used to feed cattle 5 0.040
Heracleum candicans Wall. ex DC Apiaceae Jiong4-wa1-dong1-bu4 QTB-JL-43 Aerial parts Medicine: headache (1); soak in water 1 0.008
Aralia sp. Araliaceae Jia1-ra3-cei3-ma1 QTB-JPG-10 Leaves Food: vegetable (2), cook vegetable 2 0.016
Aralia tibetana G.Hoo Araliaceae Dai1-ga1-ni1 QTB-JL-46 Whole plant Fodder (5): the leaves are used to feed cattle 5 0.040
Panax pseudoginseng Wall Araliaceae San1-jing1 QTP-EBT-3084 Roots Medicine: tonic (30), soak in water; economic (25): be sold in stores 55 0.437
Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle Asparagaceae ra3-mu1-xia3-jia1 QTB-JL-1 Aerial parts; roots Food: vegetable (26), cook vegetable; economic (8), be sold in store; medicine: nephropathy (11), roots soak in water or make soup 35 0.278
Polygonatum sibiricum Redouté Asparagaceae Rang3-ma1-xia-jia1 QTB-JL-26 Roots; aerial parts Medicine: tonic (15), roots soak in water or make soup; food: vegetable (45), cook vegetable; economic (12), be sold in store; fodder (3): used to feed cattle 75 0.595
Artemisia calophylla Pamp Asteraceae Bang1-ma1 QTB-JL-50 Aerial parts Ritual use (4), used to burn in incense burner; medicine: rheumatism (72): used it to sweat steaming or leaves soak in water to drink 76 0.603
Artemisia japonica Thunb Asteraceae Kang1-ba1 QTB-JL-59 Aerial parts Ritual use (60), used to burn in incense burner; medicine: detoxification (23), soak in water; economic (4): be sold in store 87 0.690
Artemisia younghusbandii J. R. Drumm. ex Pamp Asteraceae Sang1-kang3-ba1 QTB-JL-49 Aerial parts Ritual use (4), used to burn in incense burner; medicine: rheumatism (4), used it to sweat steaming or leaves soak in water to drink 8 0.063
Galinsoga parviflora Cav Asteraceae Cuo1-ma1 QTP-JPG-6 Whole plants Fodder (1): used to feed cattle 1 0.008
Leontopodium souliei Beauverd Asteraceae Ba1-wa1 EBT-PL-99 Leaves Tool (2), used it to start a fire 2 0.016
Saussurea tridactyla Sch.Bip. ex Hook.f Asteraceae Gang3-la1-mei3-duo3 QTB-JL-66 Whole plants Economic (36), be sold in store; medicine: arthrophlogosis (46): soaked in water 82 0.651
Taraxacum sikkimense Hand.-Mazz Asteraceae se4-ji4-mei3-duo3 QTB-JL-110 Whole plant Medicine: endocrine (3), soaked in water; economic (2), be sold in store 5 0.040
Impatiens bicornuta Wall Balsaminaceae Po1-zi1 QTB-JL-73 Seeds Varnish (12), used to polish furniture 12 0.095
Impatiens falcifer Hook.f Balsaminaceae Po1-zi1 QTB-JL-15 Seeds Varnish (14), used to polish furniture 14 0.111
Impatiens scabrida DC Balsaminaceae Po1-zi1 QTB-JL-70 Seeds Varnish (13), used to polish furniture 13 0.103
Impatiens sulcata Wall Balsaminaceae Po1-zi1 QTB-JL-62 Seeds Varnish (11), used to polish furniture 11 0.087
Berberis angulosa Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson Berberidaceae jiu1-bo1; jiu1-le1-bu1 QTB-JL-113 Leaves; fruits; branches Medicine: diarrhea (1), soaked in water; food: fruit (7), raw; fuelwood (2): used to burn 10 0.079
Berberis aristata DC Berberidaceae jiu1-lu1-xin1 QTB-JL-28 Fruits; branches Fuelwood (3), used to burn; food: fruit (2), raw 5 0.040
Berberis xanthophlaea Ahrendt Berberidaceae giu1-lu1; giu1-le1-bu1; gei1-lu1-mi3-xia4 QTB-JL-27 Barks; fruits Dyes (10), used to dye wool yellow; food: fruit (4), raw 14 0.111
Stauntonia angustifolia (Wall.) R.Br. ex Wall Berberidaceae pa1-ji1 QTP-JPG-2 Fruits Food: fruit (2), raw 2 0.016
Betula utilis D.Don Betulaceae da4-ge1-ba1 QTB-JL-7 Burls; branches; stems Medicine: diabetes (8), soak in water; economic (2), be sold in store; fuelwood (14), used to burn; craft (7), used to make Tibetan traditional wooden bowls; ritual use (8), used to burn in incense burner; tool (6), used to make cooking utensils 37 0.294
Onosma hookeri C.B. Clarke Boraginaceae Guo1-mu1-mu1-zi1 QTP-EBT-3052 Roots Medicine: hair follicle (4), soaked in canola oil and apply to the head; eczema (4); ritual use (7), used to burn in incense burner; economic (1), be sold in store 16 0.127
Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik Brassicaceae Du1-yang1 QTB-JL-34 Aerial parts Food: vegetable (8), cooked vegetable 8 0.063
Thlaspi arvense L Brassicaceae Mang3-ru1 QTB-JL-35 Leaves Food: vegetable (10), cooked vegetable 10 0.079
Cannabis sativa L Cannabaceae Si1-ma1 QTB-JL-78 Barks Tool (8); fodder (4), used to feed cattle 12 0.095
Dipsacus asper Wall. ex C.B. Clarke Caprifoliaceae Lang1-zhu1-ma1 QTP-EBT-3053 Aerial parts Fodder (1), used to feed cattle 1 0.008
Lonicera sp. Caprifoliaceae se4-le4-qin1-mei3-duo3 EBT-PL-42 Flowers Economic (2), be sold in store 2 0.016
Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC Caprifoliaceae Bang1-bu4 QTB-JL-123 Roots Ritual use (87), used to burn in incense burner; economic (1), be sold in store; medicine: relieving cough and asthma (4), soaked in water 92 0.730
Coriaria terminalis Hemsl Coriariaceae da1-lu1 QTP-EBT-3005 Fruits Food: fruit (1), raw 1 0.008
Rhodiola himalensis (D. Don) S.H. Fu Crassulaceae suo3-la1-ma3-bu4 QTB-JL-124 Stems Medicine: tonic (20), hypertension (28), soaked in water; economic (19), be sold in store; ritual use (3), used to burn in incense burner 70 0.556
Cyclanthera pedata (L.) Schrad Cucurbitaceae ra3-ru1 QTB-JPG-12 Fruits Food: vegetable (7), cooked vegetable 7 0.056
Herpetospermum pedunculosum (Ser.) C.B. Clarke Cucurbitaceae sei1-lei1; sei1-lei1-mei3-duo3 QTB-JL-22 Flowers; fruits Medicine: diarrhea (12), powder; veterinary medicine: diarrhea (3), powder 15 0.119
Solena heterophylla Lour Cucurbitaceae ma1-ma1-dong4-cei1 QTB-JL-80 Fruits Food: fruit (6), raw 6 0.048
Trichosanthes lepiniana (Naudin) Cogn Cucurbitaceae ka1-ge1-di1 QTB-JL-24 Seeds Medicine: fever (1), poder; economic (1), be sold in store 2 0.016
Juniperus indica Bertol Cupressaceae xiu1-bai1 QTB-JL-57 Branches; stems Ritual use (67), used to burn in incense burner; fuelwood (7), used to burn; craft (6) 80 0.635
Juniperus tibetica Kom Cupressaceae xiu1-bo1 QTB-JL-64 Branches; stems Ritual use (38), used to burn in incense burner; fuelwood (22), used to burn; craft (20), used to make Tibetan traditional wooden bowls; food: fruit (2), raw 82 0.651
Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex A. Heller Dennstaedtiaceae da1; da1-gu1; dai1-ga1; da1-li1 QTB-JL-10 Leaves Food: cooked vegetable (86) 86 0.683
Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb Elaeagnaceae ra1-lu1 QTB-JL-18 Fruits Food: fruit (43), raw 43 0.341
Hippophae salicifolia D.Don Elaeagnaceae da1-ru1 QTB-JL-16 Fruits; branches Food: fruit (21), raw; seasoning (14), fruit juice is used as a substitute for vinegar; medicine: arthrophlogosis (3), the juice is used to smear the joints; fuelwood (1), used to burn 39 0.310
Rhododendron anthopogon D. Don Ericaceae po1-lu1 QTB-JL-115 Branches; flowers Ritual use (91), used to burn in incense burner; fuelwood (1), used to burn; medicine: eyes ache (4), arthrophlogosis (4), flowers are used to soak water; beverage (6), soak in water; economic (4), be sold in store 110 0.873
Rhododendron arboreum Sm Ericaceae mei3-duo1 QTB-JL-30 Branches; stems Fuelwood (7), used to burn; craft (9), used to make Tibetan traditional wooden bowls 16 0.127
Rhododendron lepidotum Wall. ex G. Don Ericaceae su1-lu1 QTB-JL-114 Branches Ritual use (15), used to burn incense burner 15 0.119
Euphorbia micractina Boiss Euphorbiaceae ta3-lu1-ma1 QTB-JL-85 Leaves Medicine: poisons (2) 2 0.016
Cicer microphyllum Benth Fabaceae pu3-gui3 EBT-PL-13 Fruits Food: fruit (2), raw 2 0.016
Quercus semecarpifolia Sm Fagaceae bai1-luo4 QTB-JL-25 Stems; branches; leaves Ritual use (2), used to burn in incense burner; craft (15), used to make Tibetan traditional wooden bowls; fuelwood (48); fodder (5), used to feed cattle; food: starch (4), cooked fruit 74 0.587
Gentiana veitchiorum Hemsl Gentianaceae bang1-jie1-mei3-duo3 QTP-EBT-3024 Whole plant Medicine: fever (18), soaked in water 18 0.143
Swertia cordata (Wall. ex G. Don) C.B. Clarke Gentianaceae di1-ge1-da1 QTP-EBT-3111 Aerial parts Medicine: fever (10), soak in water; economic (2); veterinary medicine (1), soak in water 13 0.103
Isoetes hypsophila Hand.-Mazz Isoetaceae pa1-xia4 QTP-JPG-3 Leaves Food: vegetable (25), cooked vegetable 25 0.198
Juglans regia L Juglandaceae da1-ba1 QTB-JL-88 Fruits; stems; branches Dyes (23), pericarp used to dye the container black; ritual use (9), used to burn in incense burner; food: fruit (9), raw; craft (30), used to make Tibetan traditional wooden bowls; fuelwood (12), used to burn 83 0.659
Elsholtzia fruticosa (D.Don) Rehder Lamiaceae ma1-zei1 QTB-JL-48 Aerial parts Ritual use (12), used to burn in incense burner; fuelwood (5), used to burn 17 0.135
Nepeta densiflora Kar. & Kir Lamiaceae pi1-ba4 QTP-EBT-3060 Aerial parts Fodder (3), used to feed cattle 3 0.024
Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don Liliaceae bai1-mu4 QTP-EBT-3012 Bulbs Medicine: tonic (40), stew or soak in water; cold (20); economic (45), be sold in store; veterinary medicine (1), soak in water; food: fruit (2), raw 108 0.857
Malva verticillata L Malvaceae jiang4-ba1-la1-mu1 QTB-JL-36 Roots; leaves Food: vegetable (25), cooked vegetable 25 0.198
Paris polyphylla Sm Melanthiaceae bo1-luo3 QTP-EBT-3085 Arieal parts Ritual use (11), used to burn in incense burner; medicine: stomachache, soaked in water or wine (10); economic (2), be sold in store; vegetable (28), cooked vegetable 51 0.405
Gastrodia elata Blume Orchidaceae tian3-ma3 QTP-JPG-3292 Roots Economic (29), be sold in store; medicine: headache (6), cardiopathy (40), slice and soak in water or stew; food: vegetable (2), used to make soup with chicken 77 0.611
Gymnadenia orchidis Lindl Orchidaceae wang1-bu1-la1-ba1 QTB-JL-56 Roots Medicine: pulmonary disease (5), soak in water or wine; burn (32), acne (38), used to daub affected area; economic (31); ritual use (10), raw materials for making Tibetan incense 116 0.921
Phytolacca acinosa Roxb Phytolaccaceae Wo1-yang1 QTB-JL-84 Leaves Food: vegetable (13), cooked vegetable 13 0.103
Larix potaninii var. himalaica (W.C.Cheng & L.K.Fu) Farjon & Silba Pinaceae Long3-xin1 QTP-JPG-7 Branches; stems Fuelwood (4), used to burn; craft (9), used to make Tibetan traditional wooden bowls 13 0.103
Pinus wallichiana A.B.Jacks Pinaceae Nong1-xin1; tang3-xin1 QTB-JL-39 Branches; stems Fuelwood (44), used to burn; craft (7), used to make Tibetan traditional wooden bowls; ritual use (11), used to burn in incense burner; food: vegetable (7), cooked vegetable 73 0.579
Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) D.Y.Hong Plantaginaceae di1-da1; hong1-lei1 QTB-JL-67 Roots Medicine: cold and fever (107), soaked in water; economic (18), be sold in store; veterinary medicine: fever (3), soak in water 128 1.016
Plantago asiatica L Plantaginaceae wo1-ma1-ka1 QTP-EBT-3117 Aerial parts Medicine: hypertension (4), soaked in water; food: vegetable (3), cooked vegetable 7 0.056
Plantago asiatica subsp. densiflora (J.Z.Liu) Z.Y.Li Plantaginaceae ou3-ma1-ka3 QTB-JL-12 Leaves; roots Medicine: hypertension (2), soaked in water; food: vegetable (3), cooked vegetable 5 0.040
Avena fatua L Poaceae sei1-za1-ba1 QTB-JPG-11 Aerial parts Fodder (1), used to feed cattle 1 0.008
Fargesia sp. Poaceae niu1-dong1 QTB-JL-118 Stems Economic (1), be sold in store; food: vegetable (66), cooked vegetable; craft (19), used to make bamboo plaits; ritual use (6), used to burn in incense burner; fuelwood (2), used to burn; fodder (7), used to feed cattle 101 0.802
Poaceae sp. Poaceae zang4-ong1-bu4 QTP-JPG-8 Whole plant Fodder (7), used to feed cattle 7 0.056
Fagopyrum esculentum Moench Polygonaceae bai1-bi1-ya1 QTB-JL-60 Arieal parts Fodder (3), used to feed cattle 3 0.024
Fallopia denticulata (C.C.Huang) Holub Polygonaceae a1-lang1-ba1-lang1 QTB-JL-122 Aerial parts; roots Fodder (2), used to feed cattle; medicine: diarrhea (5), hair follicle (2), soak in water 9 0.071
Koenigia tortuosa (D.Don) T.M.Schust. & Reveal Polygonaceae nia1-luo1 QTB-JL-4 Aerial parts; stems Dye (6), used to dye wooden bowls or clothes yellow; fodder (8), used to feed cattle; food: fruit (4), raw 18 0.143
Pteroxygonum denticulatum (C.C.Huang) T.M.Schust. & Reveal Polygonaceae ren3-bu1 QTB-JL-45 Aerial parts Fodder (2), used to feed cattle 2 0.016
Rheum australe D. Don Polygonaceae qu1-wa1; jiong1 QTB-JL-3 Stems; roots Fruit (17), raw eat tender stem; dye (53), used to dye wooden bowls or clothes yellow 70 0.556
Rumex nepalensis Spreng Polygonaceae xiu1-ma1 EBT-PL-86 Aerial parts Fodder (2), used to feed cattle 2 0.016
Aconitum jilongense W.T.Wang & L.Q.Li Ranunculaceae beng3-ga1 QTB-JPG-1 Roots Medicine: diarrhea (24), soak in water 24 0.190
Clematis rehderiana Craib Ranunculaceae ba1-ji1-ma1 EBT-PL-84 Leaves Food: vegetable (2), cooked vegetable 2 0.016
Delphinium kamaonense Huth Ranunculaceae jia1-bei1-mei1-duo1 QTB-JL-37 Aerial parts Fodder (1), used to feed cattle 1 0.008
Eriocapitella rivularis (Buch.-Ham. ex DC.) Christenh. & Byng Ranunculaceae cei1-di1-ma1 QTB-JPG-9 Aerial parts Fodder (1), used to feed cattle 1 0.008
Gymnaconitum gymnandrum (Maxim.) Wei Wang & Z.D.Chen Ranunculaceae zen1-du1; du3-wa1-ten3-du1 QTP-EBT-3097 Roots Medicine: poisons (16), rheumatism (16), soaked in water and apply to the affected area; economic (4), be sold in store 36 0.286
Berchemia flavescens (Wall.) Wall. ex Brongn Rhamnaceae bo1-ge1-da4 QTB-JL-93 Fruits Food: fruit (45), raw 45 0.357
Argentina anserina (L.) Rydb Rosaceae chu1-ma1 QTP-EBT-3055 Roots Food: starch (60), cooked and eat with yogurt or rice 60 0.476
Chaenomeles thibetica T.T.Yu Rosaceae bai1-la1 QTB-JL-109 Fruits Food: fruit (19), raw; fuelwood (3), used to burn 22 0.175
Fragaria nubicola (Lindl. ex Hook.f.) Lacaita Rosaceae long1-mei1; sei1-duo1-zhe3-xin1 QTB-JL-9 Fruits; stems Fruit (83), raw; ritual use (3), used to burn in incense burner 86 0.683
Griffitharia vestita (Wall. ex G.Don) Rushforth Rosaceae na1-zi1 QTB-JL-5 Fruits; branches Food: fruit (55), raw; fuelwood (1), used to burn; ritual use (2), used to burn in incense burner 58 0.460
Prinsepia utilis Royle Rosaceae bu1-long1-che4-mang1 QTB-JL-38 Seeds Economic (9), be sold in store 9 0.071
Prunus holosericea (Batal.) Kost Rosaceae a1-lu1-ba3-lu1 QTB-JL-91 Fruits Food: fruit (6), raw 6 0.048
Prunus mira Koehne Rosaceae kang3-bu4 QTB-JL-69 Fruits Food: fruit (53), raw 53 0.421
Rosa macrophylla Lindl Rosaceae sei1-duo1 QTB-JL-29 Branches; fruits Fuelwood (3), used to burn; food: fruit (11), raw 14 0.111
Rosa sericea Lindl Rosaceae gu1-jiu1-ma1; gun1-zhong1 QTB-JL-17 Fruits; branches Food: fruit (91), raw; fuelwood (1), used to burn; medicine: digestion (1), raw 94 0.746
Rubus aurantiacus Focke ex Sarg Rosaceae ni1-na1 QTB-JL-14 Fruits Food: fruit (6), raw 6 0.048
Rubus austrotibetanus T.T.Yu & L.T.Lu Rosaceae nia1-lang1 QTB-JL-82 Fruits Food: fruit (55), raw 55 0.437
Rubus biflorus Buch.-Ham. ex Sm Rosaceae nie1-sen1; nia1-lang1 QTB-JL-83 Fruits Food: fruit (9), raw 9 0.071
Rubus niveus Thunb Rosaceae nia1-lang2 QTB-JL-13 Fruits Food: fruit (68), raw 68 0.540
Thomsonaria ochracea (Hand.-Mazz.) Rushforth Rosaceae ca1-le1-ba1 QTB-JL-92 Branches Fuelwood (17), used to burn; tool (3), used to make handle; ritual use (1), used to burn in incense burner 21 0.167
Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim Rutaceae ei1-ma1 QTB-JL-8 Fruits; seeds Food: seasoning (83), vegetable (14), cooked it with meat; economic (3), be sold in store; medicine: endocrine (3), raw or soak in water; fuelwood (1), used to burn 104 0.825
Salix babylonica f. babylonica Salicaceae jiang1-ma1 QTB-JL-108 Branches Fodder (5), used to feed cattle; fuelwood (3), used to burn; ritual use (3), used to burn in incense burner 11 0.087
Salix trichocarpa C.F. Fang Salicaceae lang1-ma1 QTB-JL-47 Branches; flowers; stems Fuelwood (15), used to burn; ritual use (14), used to burn in incense burner; fodder (1), used to feed cattle; craft (3), used to make wooden bowl; food: vegetable (2), flower buds can be fried and eaten 35 0.278
Schisandra elongata (Blume) Baill Schisandraceae gong1-zhu1 QTB-JL-117 Fruits Food: fruit (7), raw 7 0.056
Tamarix chinensis Lour Tamaricaceae ong1-bu4 QTB-JL-18 Branches Ritual use (1), burned to sacrifice to the dead 1 0.008
Taxus wallichiana Zucc Taxaceae sei1-ge1-xia4 QTB-JL-31 Branches; fruits Fuelwood (11), used to burn; food: fruit (5), raw 16 0.127
Urtica ardens Link Urticaceae suo3-wa1 QTP-JPG-5 Leaves Food: vegetable (36), cooked vegetable 36 0.286
Urtica urens L Urticaceae suo3-wa1 QTP-JPG-4 Leaves Food: vegetable (23), cooked vegetable 23 0.183
Viburnum cotinifolium D. Don Viburnaceae gei1-jiu1-ma1 QTB-JL-51 Fruits Food: fruit (4), raw 4 0.032
Viburnum nervosum D. Don Viburnaceae ka3-la1-suo1 QTB-JL-102 Fruits Food: fruit (6), raw 6 0.048