INVESTIGATION ON WILD RESOURCES OF FRAGARIA IN SICHUAN AND NEIGHBORING REGIONS

China is one of three geographic origins of Fragaria. Sichuan province is located in the central region of southwest China, bordering with Chongqing, Shanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Yunnan, Guizhou and Tibet. Sichuan and neighboring regions cover the eastern parts of Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, Hengduan mountain ranges, Yunnan-Guizhou plateau and Qinling mountain ranges. It is thus formed by unique weather conditions and the diversity of eco-environments. Findings indicated that four species of Fragaria were distributed in the regions, including F. nilgerrensis Schlecht., F. pentaphylla Lozinsk., F. moupinensis (Franch.) Card. and F. gracilis Lozinsk. The most widely distributed species was F. nilgerrensis from 26°14’-32°39’N to 100°13’-108°13’E at the altitudes of 1034-3051 m, the second was F. moupinensis from 27°06’-31°58’N to 96°57’-102°39’E at the altitudes of 2628-4531 m, and the third was F. pentaphylla from 29°31’-33°22’N to 101°57’-108°13’E at the altitudes of 1034-3035 m. F. gracilis was rare but only existed at the higher mountains in neighboring regions between Sichuan and Shanxi. The investigation on wild Fragaria species in Sichuan and neighboring regions was useful for the germplasm collection, conservation, identification and utilization.