Abstract: Li Minority in Hainan has a long tradition of using medicinal plants. One branch of Li Minority———Run Dialect People, who live in mountainous areas, are highly dependent on natural resources, especially for medicine purpose. An investigation aiming to document medicinal plant uses was carried out for the first time. Key informant interviews and participatory observation were adopted to obtain information. Ten well-known herbalists from different villages were selected as Key informants . In total , 282 species in 89 families and 222 genera that have indigenous uses were collected and identified. Plant species that most frequently reported were used for rheumatoid arthritis (27.7%) , intestinal tract disease (16.0% ), gore (15. 6%) and traumatic bleeding ( 13.5%). Oral administration and external use were primary remedies. Leaves were part of plants most used ( 48.7% of the species ), followed by roots ( 18.1% ), whole plant ( 15.2%), bark ( 11.8% ), stem (4.1% ) and fruits ( 2.2%). Of these 282 species , 42 species ( 14.9% ) were not previously reported as having medicinal properties. The uses of 131 species (46.5%) were similar while 109 species (38.7% ) were different, compared with that reported in the literatures of Chinese Traditional Medicine . However , it was found that medicinal ethno-botanical knowledge had lost a lot in villages where traditional life manners and custom had changed rapidly . Therefore furtherresearch is necessary .

Key words: Medical Ethnobotany