China's westernmost Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has set limitations on the quantity of snow lotus (Saussurea involucrata) supplies, a rare medicinal herb, in a bid to rescue this precious species from extinction.

The maximum annual snow lotus supplies will be set at no more than 500,000 packages, with each containing two snow lotus flowers, according to a provision recently released by the regional grassland supervision department on Thursday.

The regional grassland supervision department has sent staff to all snow lotus collection and distributing centers to crack down on illegal sales of snow lotus beginning from Monday this week.

As a rare, valuable alpine plant, the snow lotus grows in areas at least 3,000 meters above the sea level, and with a very low reproductive rate.

Since it is famed for its medicinal value in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, the snow lotus has been gathered by an increasing number of locals, which has made it one of the most endangered plant species in China.

Snow lotus picking has become rampant over recent years. Approximately 5 million pieces were sold on market each year, bringing great ruins to pastureland.

To reduce the gap between supply and demand, the region have begun cultivating snow lotus in greenhouses and then moved them to the open. The practice can be seen as a prelude to the large-scale artificial cultivation of the herb in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2004)