OBJECTIVE To understand the species, distribution, resource quantity, and endangered status of Tibetan medicinal resources in the core area of Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve, providing a scientific basis for the conservation and sustainable use of Tibetan medicinal resources.

METHODS Guided by the fourth edition of the “Technical Specifications for the National Chinese Medicinal Resources Survey”, a combination of quadrat and transect methods was used to conduct field surveys at 164 sampling sites in Nangqian County, Chengduo County, Zaduo County, and Zhiduo County of Yushu Prefecture. The species composition, life forms, medicinal parts, and key Tibetan medicinal resources of the Tibetan original medicinal plants were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS A total of 299 Tibetan original medicinal plant species were recorded, belonging to 57 families and 157 genera, with angiosperms accounting for 97.33% of the total species. The families with the highest species proportions were Asteraceae and Ranunculaceae, accounting for 24.75% of the total species. The predominant life form was herbaceous, accounting for 85.62% of the total species. The most commonly used medicinal parts were the whole plant, accounting for 58.53% of the total species. Sixteen key Tibetan medicines were identified, all included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition. Seven species were nationally protected wild plants.

CONCLUSION This study preliminarily clarified the characteristics of Tibetan medicinal plants in the core area of the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve, providing a reference for the conservation, rational use, and high-quality sustainable development of Tibetan medicinal plant resources.