In Changdao County, the "fairy islands" in China's Shandong Province, all the plants and animals have their own story. Sword-leaf dogbanes are eternal strangers on the islands as they travel across the sea from the continent of northeast China.

Sword-leaf dogbane, also known as Apocynum venetum, is a member of the dogbane family. It is poisonous, but both its root and leaf can be used as medicine. These plants, which can grow up to two meters, prefer sandy-textured soils, they are commonly found on river banks, mountain valleys and slopes in northern China. Its flower season is from April to September, and after it produces seeds, the hair on the seeds enable them to fly with the wind and reach the islands.

CGTN Nature's documentary crew found these mauve flowers on islands in Changdao County. They bloom in front of the sea as if showing they miss their homeland.

(Cover image by CGTN Nature documentary crew.)

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