Saving the golden orchid

"He's always out in the field," Xia says. "Sometimes he shows up to work with mud still on his leather shoes.

"For years, he's been out there helping farmers with real, hands-on problems. He's been doing so much to support local economic development. He's the kind of professor who writes his research directly into the soil."

Yang has a passion for the outdoors and photography. On every field trip, he carries his camera gear to capture rare plants at their most striking moments. His deep knowledge of orchids helps him bring out their elegance and detail through the lens.

He often calls himself a "backpacker", spending nearly a third of each year in the wild, covering nature reserves across China and every forest in Jiangxi. Despite the physical demands, Yang remains upbeat: "People think I'd be tired at my age, but I'm not. I'm doing what I love. When your passion and work align, it may be exhausting, but it's more joyful."

Contact the writer at liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn