Abstract: Yunnan Province is a rich area for its Ericaceae species where 375 species (including 11 sub-species and 85 varieties) occur. In the Gaoligong Mountains there are 9 genera and 187 species (including 2 subspecies and 27 varieties) of Ericaceae which is about 90 of the total genera and 49 of total species of Ericaceae in Yunnan Province. Very diverse species of Ericaceae occur in the Gaoligong Mountains which reflect that the Gaoligong Mountains are a center of distribution of Ericaceae. Many species of Ericaceae are potential economically. There are 71 species with high value as garden ornamentals. The Gaoligong Moun-tains are also an area of high endemism in Ericaceae, and the type locality of many taxa. There are 70 taxa that the type locality is within this region. In this paper, we discuss the value of Ericaceae plants aa orna-mentals, environmental protection, medicine, food, and scientific significance as well as the relationship be-tween their conservation and sustainable use.

Key words: Ericaceae