URUMQI, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Yang Zongzong, a man dedicated to discovering and protecting rare plants, describes himself as a "plant hunter" on social media platforms. He also coined the term "folk taxonomist" to explain his work.

Yang has had fascination with plants since he was 6 years old. He quit a stable job at 34 to specialize in plant research. In recent years, he has gone to mountains and wetlands to discover and protect rare plants.

In 2017, he started a community that attracted about 20 plant enthusiasts from various fields. They tried to protect endangered plant species and arouse public awareness of conservation through germplasm preservation and science education. He also runs a research class for children to teach them about plants.

Thanks to the efforts of Yang and his companions, all the wild tulip species in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have been listed as second-class under state protection in the newly adjusted List of China's State-Protected Key Wild Plants.

In 2021, Yang accomplished what would have seemed impossible to many -- writing a professional botanical book as the first author.

Yang Zongzong makes plant samples at his studio in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Yang Zongzong makes plant samples at his studio in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Yang Zongzong gives a lesson on plants to children at his studio in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Yang Zongzong takes photos of plants in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Yang Zongzong gives a lesson on plants to children at his studio in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Yang Zongzong gives a lesson on plants to children at his studio in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Yang Zongzong makes plant samples at his studio in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Yang Zongzong makes plant samples at his studio in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 10, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Yang Zongzong (5th, L) poses for a photo with members of Natural Botanical Society in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Oct. 9, 2021. (Xinhua/Du Gang)

Yang Zongzong shows a plant sample at his studio in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Fei)

Produced by Xinhua Global Service