20 batches of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. were collected from Yunnan, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan province in China. The contents of heavy metals of As, Hg, Pb, Cd, and Cu were determined and compared. The results indicated that geographical source might be a major factor to influence the contents of heavy metals of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) in Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. Compared to the criteria of heavy metals, the contents of As, Hg, Pb, and Cd in almost all the samples were in accordance with The Green Trade Standards. The contents of Cu were higher than the criteria for heavy metals except the samples from Changxing town, Qiongzhong county, Maoyang town, Qiongzhong county, Wupo town, Tunchang county, and Nanlv town, Tunchang county, in Hainan province. The best cultivation regions of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. were from Changxing town, Qiongzhong county, Maoyang town, Qiongzhong county, Wupo town, Tunchang county, and Nanlv town, Tunchang county, in Hainan province. This research would provide the scientific basis for quality control and standardization of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq.

Objective: to compare the contents of heavy metals in Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. at different growth stages. Methods: The content of Cu was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The contents of other four elements, i.e. As, Hg, Pb and Cd, were determined by atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. Result: the contents of heavy metals in fruit and rhizome of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. were lower than the criteria for the limit content of heavy metals issued by Green Trade Standards of Importing & Exporting Medicinal Plants & Preparations at different growth stages. The content of heavy elements was the lowest at the ripe fruit of the 40 th day. Conclusion: The 40 th day was the best harvest time for Alpinia oxyphylla Miq.