Wetlands account for more than one-fifth of the total land area of Tianjin City, which sits by the Bohai Sea in north China. Known as the "kidneys of the Earth," wetlands help to regulate the climate, purify the air and preserve biodiversity. In Tianjin, there are over 400 wetland plant species and more than 600 kinds of wild animals, especially precious birds like the oriental white stork, relict gull and white-naped cranes.

Every year, migratory water birds visit the rich wetlands in Tianjin, such as Beidagang Wetland and Qixinghai Wetland, as they are important stopovers for them in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Abundant wetland plants like seepweeds and common reed, which can endure the saline soil along the coastline, provide them a shelter to rest.

"Red beaches" are seen scattered along the coastline every winter. The red plant is Suaeda salsa, a kind of seepweed. Seepweeds can adapt to saline or alkaline soil by changing their shape and color.

When the land is of high salinity, seepweeds will grow succulent red leaves in a smaller size. Otherwise, they will develop thin green leaves.

Few people know that the Suaeda salsa seedlings are edible. They have a salty taste and can be added to various dishes.

Common reed might be the most commonly seen plant in the wetlands. It acts as a natural purifier, absorbing heavy metals in the water. The reed has a strong vitality and can thrive in alkaline habitats.

In ancient times, the common reed was used to make paper. Its stem grows 2 to 6 meters long, and can be made into an instrument similar to the clarinet.

From the wetlands along the east coast to the dense rainforest hidden in the west, China boasts an array of plant species. In this series, we will go on a tour to learn some of the most representative flora in different provinces and see how they live in harmony with the local geography and climate.

(Cover image via VCG)