Botanist documents beauty of Kenya's plants
Book is first by Chinese researchers cataloging flora outside of China
Life in Africa could be tough, but the diversity of life attracted Wang to explore further. During an investigation in Bongor, Chad, he rented a motorcycle and had three to five locals help him carry specimen folders while he collected plants along the Logone River.
"In China, there is an ancient saying 'seeing more broadens knowledge'. The most important aspect of taxonomy is accumulation, progressing from not knowing to knowing, and within that knowing, discovering what is yet unknown," Wang said.
"It involves both interest and passion, as well as persistence, continuously driving oneself forward."
Similar to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, after enduring the arduous journey step by step, when one finds themselves amid the lush and harmonious flora and fauna at around 4,000 meters above sea level, there is a sense of peace, he said.
"Sitting down quietly and observing, that feeling is truly different because this is what I study."
Beauty and barrenness coexist in Africa, according to Wang. Behind the multitude of species is a lack of corresponding research efforts. Cataloging flora is a complex and significant undertaking and requires the collective efforts of people from various places and researchers from different fields and locations, he said.
