[Explanation] Recently, a farmer from Gongliu County in Xinjiang, Chi Jiancai, and Xinjiang plant taxonomy researchers Yang Zongzong, Ma Ming and others co-edited the "An Illustrated Guide to Wild Vascular Plants in Northern Xinjiang". Supported by the National Science and Technology Academic Publication Fund for 2020, and the national finance allocates special funds for publication by Science Press.

　　[Concurrent] Chi Jiancai, a villager in Arare Village, Gongliu County, Xinjiang

　　I wrote catalogs, wrote descriptions, purposefully searched for rare plants, took photos, and spent a lot of effort. After 2 years of hard work, I finally wrote this book. There are 1600 species in total. I applied for the National Publishing Fund last September. After a few days of approval, the next step is to find some minor amendments and correct them.

　　[Commentary] It is understood that this monograph has more than 900 pages and contains 92 families and 450 genera of wild vascular plants in northern Xinjiang. It is the first time that many Xinjiang plant species have been photographed and published.

This is also the first academic monograph to comprehensively and systematically record wild vascular plants in northern Xinjiang in the form of a colorful illustrated book.

　　[Explanation] Chi Jiancai was originally a farmer born and raised in Gongliu County, Xinjiang.

In 2002, he began to build a greenhouse flower shed in his yard, planting and cultivating more than 1,000 kinds of flowers and plants, which is not only his hobby, but also brought him a certain economic income.

　　[Concurrent] Chi Jiancai, a villager in Arare Village, Gongliu County, Xinjiang

　　By chance, I ran into Susu and thought it was quite okay. Later, I developed this into an industry, and the extra money was used to maintain the cost of running in the wild.

　　【Explanation】Without the worries of livelihood, Chi Jiancai focused all his energy on finding rare plants. So far, he has discovered 14 species of wild orchids.

He also set up his own website, which also allowed him to get acquainted with some non-professional plant lovers.

　　[Concurrent] Chi Jiancai, a villager in Arare Village, Gongliu County, Xinjiang

　　Yang Zongzong, found a new record of new species.

If he can discover this new species, it is not easy, and his knowledge is already very strong, so I have been looking for him.

　　[Explanation] After Chi Jiancai joined the team of plant taxonomy researcher Yang Zongzong, he has a deeper understanding of plant taxonomy.

Beginning in 2018, Chi Jiancai and his team completed the compilation of "An Illustrated Guide to Wild Vascular Plants in Northern Xinjiang" after more than two years of fieldwork, shooting and research.

　　[Explanation] In recent years, Chi Jiancai has also participated in the investigation of wild fruit forest resources in Xinjiang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the survey of orchid plants, and the general survey of agricultural wild plants and invasive alien species in Ili Prefecture as a member of scientific research.

At present, the compilation of "Illustration of River Valley Medicinal Plants", co-edited by him, Jing Song and Liu Qiuqiong, is nearing completion.

　　Konoha Shaer, Yuan Ye and Zhu Ting report from Xinjiang

Editor in charge: [Lu Yan]