Orychophragmus violaceus, a member of the mustard family (er yue lan in Chinese), came into full bloom in March, on a 20-hectare field in the village of Yongfeng, Taicang city, surrounded by a Metasequoia glyptostroboides (dawn redwood) forest, for a real must-see sight.

The Metasequoia is native to Hubei, Hunan and Sichuan provinces but has been planted in a vast regions across China that are south of Beijing in recent years to be used for harvesting and for ornament. It has high academic value as one precious relic plant. Fossils of the species have been found, dating back the late Cretaceous to Miocene period.

Orychophragmus violaceus are in full bloom in a meadow at Yongfeng village in the city of Taicang, in March. [Photo from Taicang Daily]