Abstract: The paper aims to introduce Polygonatum use in traditional Chinese medicine and provide references for its research and development by investigating the resources and the pharmacological effects in Yunnan Province. The authors determined Polygonatum species, botanical characters, habitat distribution, medicinal parts, chemical composition, pharmacological action, and development & application based on the Fourth National Chinese Medicine Resources Survey, field investigations and organization of data. Yunnan has 12 Polygonatum species, including 11 wild species and 1 introduced species, and 9 species are reported effective in medicinal purposes. P. kingianum and P. cirrhifolium grow in a wide range of habitats while P. nodosum and P. tessellatum just grow in specific areas. P. kingianum, P. sibiricum and P. gracile have been fully developed and applied to local market, but they only occupy 25%; the rest are all substitute articles. Polygonatum resources are abundant in Yunnan, and show a huge potential of development and utilization, but they are rarely cultivated, therefore, the resource conservation should be highlighted for the sustainable development.