Abstract: The contents of 15 elements in 6 Meconopsis species were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES),and the data were analyzed by using PC-ORD data processing program.The results showed that these herbs were all rich in minerals but with a significant difference,and the major ones were in the order of K>Ca>Mg>Fe>Al>Na.Based on the difference of the elements’ contents,these tested samples were clustered into 3 groups,the first class contained Meconopsis quintuplinervia, M. henrici, M. punicea and M. integrifolia.The others were in the second (M.horridula) and the third (M.racemosa) team, separately. The elevation of sampling point was found to be inversely associated with the elements’ concentration,and other 3 factors presented opposite influence,which indicated by the detrended correspondence analysis.These findings provided some theoretical basis for further study and application of these Meconopsis Vig.herbs.

Key words: Meconopsis Vig., cluster analysis, detrended correspondence analysis, elements, ICP-OES