地肤田，中国 Field of kochia plants, China (© lingqi xie/Getty Images)

地肤田，中国 Field of kochia plants, China (© lingqi xie/Getty Images)

坚韧在此扎根 Where toughness takes root

地肤田，中国

在今天的画面中，中国大地上铺展着绿色与深红色的地肤。地肤原产于欧亚大陆部分地区，19世纪末作为观赏植物和制作扫帚的材料来源被引入美国。它耐旱、耐热、耐盐碱土壤和少雨环境的能力，帮助其扩散至美国大平原及美国西部大部分地区。

地肤由种子迅速生长，单株在一个生长季内便可长到数英尺高，并产生数千粒种子。幼株可用作牲畜饲料，尤其是在其他植被稀少的干旱地区。地肤因醒目的色彩和顽强的生命力而受人欣赏，但农民也将它视为一种难以治理的耐性杂草。从美国大草原到画面中中国色彩绚丽的田野，它始终是自然适应能力的非凡例证。

Field of kochia plants, China

In today's image, kochia plants spread across the landscape in China in shades of green and deep red. Native to parts of Eurasia, kochia was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental plant and a source of material for broom making. Its ability to withstand drought, heat, saline soils, and low rainfall helped it spread across the Great Plains and much of the American West.

Growing quickly from seed, a single plant can reach several feet tall in one season and produce thousands of seeds. Young plants have been used as forage for livestock, particularly in dry regions where other vegetation is scarce. While admired for its striking colors and resilience, kochia is also known to farmers as a hardy weed that can be difficult to control. From American prairies to the vibrant fields seen here in China, it remains a remarkable example of nature's adaptability.