Abstract: The concept "ethnobotany" was introduced to Chinese readers by Professor Pei Shengji in 1982, and then set up the first ethnobotanical department in China and many researches were carried out in Yunnan Province. Ethnobotany has achieved marvelous development and fruitful results within past two decades; also its conception got new enrichment and development.
Xinjiang, as the biggest province of ethnic groups residenting in China, possess special and various ethnic culture and unique eco-environment; meanwhile, local people accumulated rich experience and knowledge on utilization of plant resources during their long living and production practices, such as medicinal plants, introduction and cultivation of plants, horticulture and animal husbandry, fodder etc. Therefore, the ethnobotanical research has important practical significance in mult-i minorities Xinjiang, and will play an important role on the economic development and ecological conservation.

Key words: Ethnobotany, Xinjiang, Ecological Conservation, Economic Development