Abstract: Based on the analysis of medicinal plants use , we proposed a Pattern-Path Model (PPM) to explore the development process of medicinal plant use . To test this model, 549 medicinal plant species recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2005 version) were analyzed to understand the sustainability of medicinal plants in China . Our results show that among
medicinal plant species in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 79% are more or less used with sustainable supply, but 21% with unsustainable supply . The current trends of increasing domestication and plantation of medicinal plants are partly promoted by resource scarcity (40% of used species are threatened or being exhausted before plantation prepared) . The conclusions
from PPMquantitative analysis further supported existing practices about resource assessment and cultivation program of medicinal plants in China , so PPM can be applied more to provide bases for resources management decision-making .

Key words: Medicinal plants