OBJECTIVETo analyze the appropriate producing area of Cistanche tubulosa by mean of TCMGIS-I.

METHODThe TCMGIS-I (Suitability evaluation geographic information system of traditional Chinese medicine producing area) was used to analyze the appropriate producing area of C. tubulosa basing on the optimum ecological factors of Sorth Sinkiang municipality which is the traditional producing area of C. tubulosa.

RESULTThe suitable producing areas of C. tubulosa include 56 counties with 190952.1 km2 total areas in Sinkiang municipality, Neimongd municipality and Gansu province; Sinkiang municipality, Gansu and Qinghai provinces have the second-suitable producing areas of C. tubulosa, with 46 counties and 41217.37 km2 total areas; Sinkiang municipality, Inner Mongolia municipality, Gansu province and Ningxia municipality have the third-suitable producing areas of C. tubulosa with 56 counties and 421145.2 km2 total areas.

CONCLUSIONIt is important to analyze the appropriate producing area of C. tubulosa by means of TCMGIS-I. The results are useful for development of C. tubulosa transplanting and cultivation.