Berries of the steppe zone. What grows in the steppe

• Mountain, steppe with lush alpine vegetation and high-mountain, characterized by sparse and nondescript vegetation, mainly consisting of grits and breakwort.
• Meadow. Steppes, characterized by the presence of small forests that form glades and edges.
• Real. Steppes with feather grass and fescue growing on them in great predominance. This is the most typical plants steppes.
• Saz - steppes, consisting of plants that adapt to an arid climate, shrubs.
• Desert steppes on which desert grasses grow tumbleweed, wormwood, prutnyak
• It is also necessary to say a few words about the forest-steppes, which are characterized by the alternation of deciduous forests and coniferous forests with areas of steppes, since the plants of the steppe and forest-steppe differ only in subspecies.

The steppe has its embodiment on any continent except Antarctica, and on different continents it has its own name: in North America it is a prairie, in South America- pampas (pampas), in South America, Africa and Australia - this is a savannah. In New Zealand, the steppe is called Tussoki.

Let us consider in more detail which plants grow in the steppe.

Plant species of the steppe

• Krupka. This is annual plant cruciferous family, growing on the highlands and in the tundra. There are about 100 varieties of grains, typical for our steppes. It is characterized by a branched stem with oblong leaves, crowned with tassels of yellow flowers. Flowering period April - July. In folk herbal medicine, krupka is used as a hemostatic, expectorant and diuretic.
• Breaker. It is also an annual plant, about 25 cm long and with oblong leaves, many flower arrows, each of which ends in an inflorescence consisting of tiny white flowers. Prolomnik is used as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic and hemostatic, as well as an anticonvulsant for epilepsy.
• Poppy. Depending on the species, it is an annual or perennial herb with flower buds on long peduncles. It grows on rocky slopes, near mountain streams and rivers, in fields, along roads. And although poppies are poisonous, they are widely used in herbal medicine as a sedative and hypnotic for insomnia, as well as for some diseases of the intestines and bladder.
• Tulips are perennial herbaceous plants of the steppe of the lily family with large and bright flowers. They mainly grow in semi-desert, desert and mountainous areas.
• Astragalus. This plant has more than 950 species of various colors and shades, growing in desert and dry steppes, in the forest zone and in alpine meadows. It is widely used for edema, dropsy, gastroenteritis, diseases of the spleen, as a tonic, as well as for headaches and hypertension.
• Feather grass. It is also a variety of herbs. There are more than 60 of them, and the most common of them is the feather grass. This is perennial cereal families. The feather grass grows up to 1 meter tall with smooth stems and spinous leaves. Stipa is used as a decoction in milk for goiter and paralysis.
• Mullein. This is a large (up to 2 m) plant with hairy leaves and large yellow flowers. Studies of the plant showed the presence in its flowers of many useful substances such as flavonoids, saponins, coumarin, gum, essential oil, aucubin glycoside, ascorbic acid and carotene content. Therefore, the plant is actively used as a food additive in salads and hot dishes, drinks are prepared, and they are also eaten fresh.
• Melissa officinalis. It is a perennial tall herb with a pronounced lemon scent. The stems of the plant are crowned with bluish-lilac flowers, which are collected in false rings. Lemon balm leaves contain essential oil, ascorbic acid, and some organic acids.
• Camel's thorn is a semi-shrub, up to 1 meter in height, with a powerful root system, bare stems with long spines and red (pink) flowers. The camel's thorn is widespread in the riverine space, grows along ditches and canals, on wastelands and irrigated lands. The plant contains many vitamins, some organic acids, rubber, resins, tannins, essential oil, as well as carotene and wax. A decoction of the plant is used for colitis, gastritis and stomach ulcers.
• Sagebrush. It is a herbaceous or semi-shrub plant found almost everywhere. The whole plant has a straight stem with thin pinnately divided leaves and yellowish flowers collected in inflorescences. Wormwood is used as a spicy plant, and the essential oil is used in perfumery and cosmetics. Wormwood is also important as a fodder plant for livestock.
• So, we have considered only some types of steppe plants. And, of course, the differences in the landscape leave their mark on the appearance of the herbs growing on it, but, nevertheless, some common features can be distinguished. So steppe plants are characterized by:
  • Branched root system
  • bulb roots
  • Fleshy stems and thin, narrow leaves

Steppe plants are extremely diverse, but many of them can be distinguished and common features. Among them are small, narrow leaves. In some species, they have the ability to curl up during drought to protect against excessive evaporation of moisture. The color of the leaves is often grayish or bluish-green: the bright green foliage familiar to the eye can rarely be found here. Steppe plants tolerate heat and lack of rain well.

According to various reference books, you can see about 220 various types plants. Many steppe plants have a branched root system allowing them to extract moisture from the ground. Willows can be found in the floodplains of flowing rivers, and in those places where ground water come close to the surface of the earth - and other trees and shrubs: hawthorn, Tatar maple, blackthorn, etc. In places with saline soil, special steppe plants: saline wormwood, kermek, sveda, soleros.

Surly in most of the year, in early spring the steppe is changing. At this time, before the beginning of the dry season, it is covered with a motley carpet of early flowering plants: tulips, irises, hyacinths, crocuses, poppies. From cultivars these plants of the steppe differ, first of all, in their smaller size. At the same time, their shape can be more bizarre - like, for example, the Schrenk tulip, one of the ancestors of the cultural varieties of this flower. Due to the plowing of the steppe, as well as the ruthless collection of flowers, this species is listed in the Red Book of Russia. steppe, just as it can have flowers various shades, from yellow to purple. This species is also listed as endangered.

Before the heat comes, bright steppe flowers already have time to give seeds. In their tubers are stored nutrients that will allow them to bloom next year. The turn of plants accustomed to drought comes: fescue, feather grass, wormwood. Tipchak (Valisian fescue) is an erect grass up to half a meter high. This plant serves as food for horses and small livestock and is one of the main pasture plants in (fescue is unsuitable for harvesting for future use). Feather grass, typical representative steppe flora - a perennial grass with a short rhizome and narrow, long leaves resembling a wire. In total, there are about 400 species in this genus, some of them are protected. The main enemy of feather grass is uncontrolled grazing, during which this plant is simply trampled down. As for wormwood, along with other plants, almost all of its species are found in the steppe (there are more than 180 of them in total). Solid wormwood thickets usually form low varieties - for example, drooping wormwood, seaside and others.

individual plants steppes (for example, kermek) after drying form the so-called tumbleweed. At the end of summer, the dried stalk of kermek breaks off from the roots with a gust of wind and rolls along the ground, scattering seeds along the way. Other stems and twigs can cling to it: the result is a rather impressive dry lump. Kermek ordinary blooms pink, purple or yellow small flowers. On its basis, many cultivars have now been bred, which are widely used in landscape design. The species of the genus Sveda, common on saline soils - small-leaved and creeping - are, respectively, a small shrub and with reddening stems. They are willingly eaten by camels. Like them, soleros also serves as livestock feed during the autumn-winter season. Soda was extracted from its ashes.

All steppe plants have their own characteristics that allow them to survive in conditions of heat and lack of moisture. These include powerful roots, early flowering in some species, narrow leaves, etc.

The Danish steppes are, first of all, mysterious world herbs. As you know, each blade of grass is a unique healing wizard, you just need to know the right spell. Surely you would also like to eat a magic leaf or drink a miraculous decoction from all ailments and misfortunes, but only a real herbalist can figure out all the nuances of this ancient art. Traditional medicine has long been used from ancient times to the present day by mankind.

Healing medicinal plants- this is perhaps one of the oldest methods of treatment. Even our great-grandmothers, long before the advent and development of medicine, brewed decoctions and made infusions for all diseases, the first healers used healing powers herbs in their potions. It is sad to note that in our age of cybernetic technologies and crazy inventions, we are less and less turning to mother nature for help, relying on pills and potions created in laboratories.

(trample-grass, grass-ant, goose). Highlander bird (knotweed) is a herbaceous annual plant, belongs to the buckwheat family, with a stem lying on the ground, located in the nodes,membranous, dissected, small whitish trumpets. The root is typically taproot. The leaves are alternate, small, oval. The flowers are small, light green or slightly pink, located in the axils of the leaves. Flowering time early summer - autumn. Knotweed can be found in wastelands, near roads, in river valleys. AT medicinal purposes flowering grass is used as a means to stop bleeding in the postpartum period or after an abortion, as well as in diseases of the kidneys.

Melilot officinalis(yellow) is a herbaceous biennial plant that belongs to the legume family. The flowers are small, yellow, moth-like, located in the brush. The plant usually blooms all summer. It can be found in ravines, slopes of gullies, forest edges, among shrubs and tall grass in the steppe, in meadows. Sweet clover is used for nervous diseases, cardiospasm, migraine, menopause, as an expectorant, laxative, insomnia, headache, melancholy, menstrual disorders, ascites, pain in the bladder, intestines, flatulence and for nursing mothers. Decoction, infusion of sweet clover and ointment from its flowers are recommended for treatment of purulent wounds, mastitis, furunculosis, otitis media. Do not use during pregnancy and kidney disease. Sweet clover is a poisonous plant. It is advisable to use it only in collections.

Oregano- perennial herbaceous plant. flowers are small, lilac-pink color, form a panicle. Flowering time July-September. Occurs on the edges of the forest, meadows, in river valleys. Oregano has a high bactericidal effect, normalizes the activity of the nervous system of the body, is effective against inflammatory processes, and ensures normal functioning. intestinal tract, diuretic and choleretic agent. Oregano grass is recommended for use in sore throat, delayed menstruation, hypersexual excitability, colds, lung and heart diseases, diathesis, epilepsy, scrofula, diseases of the intestines and stomach, problems with the gallbladder, liver. The infusion is used in the form of baths, lotions, wet compresses for skin diseases. They smell dry flower tops, worn leaves for headaches and runny nose, wash their hair with a decoction to combat dandruff and hair loss.

St. John's wort- herbaceous perennial plant. The flowers of the plant are golden yellow with characteristic black dots. Flowering continues throughout summer period. St. John's wort is found at the edges, in meadows, in rare pine and deciduous forests on fallow lands, clearings, and sandy slopes. St. John's wort is used for chronic disorders and diseases of the stomach, periodontal disease, stomatitis, colitis, diarrhea, chronic inflammatory diseases of the kidneys, cholelithiasis, gynecology, gingivitis, rheumatism, bad breath, nervous diseases, arthritis, sciatica, for the treatment of diseases heart, with colds, diseases of the liver, bladder, hemorrhoids, headaches, bedwetting.

red clover- herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the legume family. The upright stems of red clover are slightly pubescent. Leaves with wide stipules in the form of a triangle are long-petiolate. Clover flowers are dark red, small, collected in an inflorescence head. Blooms actively in the second half of summer (July - August). Grows in fields, wet meadows, slopes of grassy forest edges, along roads and paths. plant in traditional medicine has long been used for lung diseases (as an expectorant), tinnitus, low hemoglobin levels, angina pectoris, appetite disorders, painful critical days and as a diuretic, dizziness. Decoction and infusion of clover inflorescences treat inflammation of the eyes. In the form of lotions, they are used for tumors, wounds, burns, scrofula. The clover inflorescence is used for brewing tea, and delicious salads are prepared from the young leaves of the plant.

horse sorrel - a herbaceous perennial plant, belongs to the buckwheat family. Blooms in early and mid-summer. Occurs along river banks, in meadows, on hillsides, as well as in dense groves, in forest clearings or close to roads. It has bactericidal properties, in small doses, horse sorrel has astringent properties, in large doses it has a laxative effect, and the laxative effect occurs 10-12 hours after ingestion. Horse sorrel is used in the form of a decoction, infusion or extract in the treatment of diseases such as colitis and their varieties, hemorrhoids, in case of anal fissures, it can be used as an antiseptic, hemostatic agent. Horse sorrel is contraindicated in pregnancy, kidney disease.

Nettle - dioecious plant herbaceous, perennial, belonging to the nettle family. The flowers are greenish in color. Blooms from mid-June to autumn. Reduces blood clotting time, increases the amount of hemoglobin and erythrocytes in the blood, improves metabolism, reduces blood sugar, normalizes the menstrual cycle, provides muscle tone of the uterus and intestines, is a strong anti-inflammatory and healing agent. It is used in case of internal bleeding, anemia, subserous fibroids, menopause, at stages early period development of diabetes, constipation. Nettle can also be used for diseases of the biliary tract and liver, to eliminate nervous disorders, fever, obesity, as a milk extractor. A decoction, or an infusion of nettle roots, is advised to drink as a blood cleanser for skin diseases, as well as for helminthic invasions, compresses are made from a decoction of the whole plant for tumors. Water infusion of flowers is used for pulmonary diseases. From a strong infusion of nettle leaves, lotions are made for wounds, ulcers and burns, is effective tool with dandruff, hair loss. When bleeding, the juice of fresh leaves can be instilled into the nose. Brooms are made from previously scalded nettles and steamed in baths with painful sensations in the lumbar region or rheumatism of the joints. Powder from dried leaves can be sprinkled with abscesses and ulcers. Nettle, among other things, is also used to make tonic salads and even soups or borscht.

Burdock(burdock) - a plant belonging to the Compositae family, herbaceous, biennial, has been widely used since the time of our great-grandmothers. The decoction and infusion of the roots are known for their strong diuretic and diaphoretic effects. Burdock is used for diabetes, gout, nephrolithiasis and rheumatism, ascites, hemorrhoids, skin diseases, constipation, in case of poisoning, venereal diseases, pain in the joints, to get rid of purulent old wounds, tumors, it is often used as a remedy that can improve metabolism. substances, with stone disease of the kidneys and bladder, with diseases of the stomach, to strengthen the hair. early leaves burdock is good to use for cooking delicious salads and soups, and the roots of one year of life can be eaten raw, boiled, baked, fried, and can also replace potatoes in soup.

Goof narrow-leaved- Shrub with red-brown branches. The flowers are white, located in the axils of the leaves. In folk medicine, products derived from the fruit of the sucker are used as an astringent for colitis, diarrhea and respiratory diseases. From the infusion of flowers, heart remedies are made, in particular for hypertension.

Coltsfoot- a plant belonging to the Compositae family, herbaceous, perennial. The leaves grow from the root, are quite large in size, rounded in shape, green above, pubescent, bare below. Flowering begins in spring in April - May, refers to the ephemera. The plant has a strong anti-inflammatory and softening effect on expectoration, as well as an effective diaphoretic, coltsfoot is actively used for respiratory diseases, tonsillitis, pain in the gastrointestinal tract, appetite disorders and skin diseases, it is effective for inflammation of the veins of the legs, hoarseness. Compresses from a decoction or from crushed leaves can be used externally for abscesses, tumors, inflammation of the veins, burns, wounds, gargles are recommended for sore throats, and enemas for intestinal diseases.

Peppermint- a herbaceous, perennial plant belonging to the mint family. It blooms almost all summer, capturing autumn. Since ancient times, mint leaves have been recommended for use in stomach and intestinal cramps, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea and vomiting, effectively as a choleretic agent, with gallstones, with jaundice, as an anesthetic for hepatic colic, as well as a stimulant of cardiac activity and as a remedy for headaches, in case of nervous diseases and as a result of insomnia, in inflammatory processes in the periosteum of the middle ear, in nephrolithiasis. In a 1:4 alcohol solution, the essential oil is rubbed into the scalp for migraines, it is very effective for skin inflammations and is indispensable for inhalation in respiratory diseases.

Dandelion officinalis- a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Compositae family. Flowering continues from May to August. Dandelion root and grass are effective in diseases of the gallbladder, liver, jaundice, cholelithiasis, in disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, namely in colitis and constipation, in hemorrhoids, improves the quality of digestion and stimulates appetite, are indispensable in the treatment of atherosclerosis, anemia, with skin diseases. Young leaves of a freshly picked dandelion are used as an ingredient in a salad.

Shepherd's bag- an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the cruciferous family. flowers small size, white color, collected in an elongated brush. Contraindicated in pregnant women. The herb is a hemostatic agent, helps to reduce the uterine muscles, reduces pressure, is used to stop bleeding of an internal nature, for wounds, for the treatment of fever, diarrhea; a decoction or juice of a fresh plant, diluted with water, is recommended for use in diseases of the liver, hepatic colic, diseases of the kidneys and bladder, with impaired metabolism. Shepherd's purse infusion is prescribed as a hemostatic agent for uterine cancer. plant leaves in fresh use in food, preparing salads, soups from them; The seeds taste like mustard.

Common tansy(Wild mountain ash) is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Compositae family. The stem is tall, erect, the leaves have a pinnate dissection, strongly smelling when rubbed, the flowers yellow color, small in size, in the form of tubules, collected in an inflorescence basket. Blooms almost all summer. Tansy is used for helminthic diseases such as ascariasis and pinworms, for liver diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous disorders, inflammatory processes in the bladder and kidneys, nephrolithiasis, gout, headaches, malaria, as a menstrual stimulant, febrile conditions, pulmonary tuberculosis, jaundice, rheumatism of the joints, jaundice, dislocations and wounds, as well as in the case of epilepsy.

Plantain large- widely famous plant herbaceous perennial, belonging to the plantain family. The inflorescence is a long, dense spike in the form of a cylinder, from small brownish flowers. Flowering continues all summer until autumn. Plantain has a hemostatic, bactericidal, well heals wounds, is characterized by an expectorant and pressure-lowering effect. Large plantain leaf juice is used to treat patients with chronic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract; used as a diuretic, as well as in chronic lung diseases, effective in dyspepsia, diabetes, helps with male and female infertility, is recommended for eye diseases, in the treatment of cancer, liver disease. Outwardly, it is advised to use it for erysipelas, ulcers, carbuncle wounds; freshly picked, washed in boiled water, crushed leaves are placed on the affected parts of the skin or washed with a tincture of the leaves.

Wormwood- tincture, decoction and extract of the plant are most often used as a source of bitterness for the development of appetite and activation of the digestive system. Contraindicated in pregnancy. Wormwood is used in diseases of the biliary tract, pancreas, colitis, helminthiasis, in the presence of bad bad breath, in various pulmonary diseases, not excluding whooping cough, tuberculosis, acute respiratory diseases, with sexual indifference, problems with menstrual cycle, with violations of sexual development, amenorrhea, infertility.

wheatgrass- the rhizome contains sugar-containing elements, glycosides, alcohols, a large amount of vitamins, fatty and essential oils, useful organic acids. The use is recommended in the treatment of urinary and biliary tract, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in addition, they are treated with furunculosis, rickets, chronic constipation, hemorrhoids.

Chamomile officinalis- a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, herbaceous, annual. White flowers are collected in an inflorescence basket. Flowering continues for a long time from spring to late summer. Chamomile inflorescences, as a rule, without stems, with a pedicel length not exceeding 3 cm, are collected at the beginning of flowering, during the period when the reed marginal flowers in the baskets are horizontal. Essential oils of chamomile are a strong disinfectant and diaphoretic, help reduce gas formation, provide pain relief, prevent inflammation, chamomile is recommended for normalizing the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, activates the functioning of the central nervous system, speeding up breathing, increasing the number of heart contractions at times, has a vasodilator action, especially for the brain. Large quantities essential oil may provoke headache and a general state of weakness. Preparations of chamomile officinalis affect the increase in the secretion of juices of the stomach and intestines; enhance bile secretion and increase appetite. Chamomile has a great effect in the treatment of bronchial asthma, rheumatism, skin diseases, burns, gastric diseases, colitis, colds, malaria, diseases associated with elevated temperature, scrofula, with diseases of the nervous system, insomnia, in addition to this with excessive excitability, neuralgic pain, painful critical days, uterine bleeding, overwork. Outwardly, this plant is recommended for use in hemorrhoids, with increased sweating of the legs, chamomile has shown itself well in matters of hair care, it has a good therapeutic effect in gynecological diseases, trichomonas colpitis. In case of a flu-like condition, it is recommended to do inhalation with hot steam of chamomile infusion. For sluggish healing wounds, use externally, as well as for children's colic. With gout, ulcers and boils, preferably in the form of a decoction mixed with salt.

prickly tartar- a biennial herbaceous prickly plant belonging to the Compositae family. Flowering continues all summer. In folk medicine, tartar is used as a decoction in the treatment of malignant tumors, purulent wounds, is effective in the treatment of tetanus, ulcers, skin cancer, lupus and scrofula, vascular rheumatism, is indispensable as a diuretic, with painful sensations in the bladder, and is recommended for colds. for use as a decoction or powder.

Thyme(Thyme? ts, or Common thyme, or Bogorodskaya grass?) - a perennial shrub up to 15 cm high, the shoot spreads along the ground, only flowering stems are raised or even upright. Depending on the habitat, flowering continues from late spring all summer, but fruit ripening occurs in mid-summer until September. It is one of the best honey plants. Young leaves and shoots of thyme are great for salads and even for pickling cucumbers. All kinds of infusions, decoctions and thyme extract are recommended for diseases of acute and chronic respiratory tract, tuberculosis and bronchial asthma. Creeping thyme is characterized by an antimicrobial, sedative, effective in convulsions, a strong analgesic that promotes wound healing and a wide spectrum of action in helminthiasis. The aerial part of the plant is used for expectorant, astringent and choleretic preparations, as well as bath preparations for inflammatory processes in the joints, it is also recommended for nervous diseases, as a diuretic, diaphoretic and antihypertensive agent. When applied externally, it is used in the form of compresses, soothing baths and lotions for painful sensations in the muscles. Thyme ointments and lotions are desirable for use in rheumatism of the joints, it heals wounds well in skin diseases.

yarrow- a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Compositae family. Blooms all summer long autumn months. As a rule, the upper parts are used for treatment. flowering plant, which should be collected during the flowering period. Yarrow has well-pronounced anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. Yarrow preparations increase the rate of blood clotting, are characterized as the strongest means of combating inflammatory, allergic reactions of the body, as well as rapid wound healing. In addition, yarrow increases the contractility of the uterine muscles, which explains its frequent use in uterine bleeding, the plant has a vasodilating effect and analgesic in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Yarrow is recommended for use in stopping internal bleeding - pulmonary, intestinal, uterine, hemorrhoidal, nasal, bleeding from the gums and wounds. In addition, yarrow preparations are also effective as a means of calming nature. With inflammation of the respiratory tract, yarrow is used as an infusion, as well as to improve appetite and digestion in general, with problems with the menstrual cycle, to increase the amount of milk in nursing mothers.

Common hop - climbing plant belonging to the mulberry family, dioecious, perennial, with illiterate use even poisonous, the length can be up to 3-6 m, the root is fleshy, simple. The flowers are small, inconspicuous, unisexual, the fruits are rounded, in the form of one-seeded nuts, which are combined into yellowish-green inflorescences in the form of cones. Flowering lasts almost all summer, fruiting occurs in late summer, usually already in autumn. Common hop grows along the banks of lakes, rivers, in well-moistened broad-leaved forests, in glades, forest edges, in forest and forest-steppe zones, most often among shrubs. Preparations of "cones" of hops are used as a sedative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and analgesic. They are used for excessive nervous and sexual excitability, sleep disorders, nervous diseases, radiculitis, kidney disease, painful critical days, nocturnal emissions, menopause. Especially effective "cones" of hops in cystitis and urethritis.

Chicory- herbaceous plant belonging to the Compositae family, perennial. The flowers are blue, although pink or white are also found, collected in a basket inflorescence. Flowering continues throughout the summer until September. Chicory is used as a gastric, choleretic, laxative and is used to treat diseases of the liver, spleen, kidneys, and skin diseases. The hypoglycemic effect of chicory in diabetes mellitus has been found. Decoctions of roots and inflorescences have a bactericidal, sedative and astringent effect, enhances the secretion of gastric and intestinal juice, peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract, increased appetite, choleretic and diuretic, immunomodulatory, antiallergic agent.

Celandine- a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the poppy family. The straight stem of the plant is branched, with small hairs. Celandine, unlike many other plants, contains yellow-orange milky juice. Flowering continues almost all summer. The herb is characterized by a bactericidal, pronounced antitumor effect, is effective in the fight against fungal diseases, tones the smooth uterine muscles, affects blood pressure, lowering it, and has a choleretic effect. In addition, celandine is often used for heart disease, liver and gallbladder diseases, stomach cancer, colon polyposis. Fresh celandine grass juice is used to cauterize or remove warts, condylomas. It is recommended for use in the treatment of gout and rheumatism of the joints, skin tuberculosis, dry calluses, skin diseases, and ascites.

Salvia officinalis- semi-shrub belonging to the labiate family, perennial. Sage flowers produce sweet-smelling sweet nectar. Flowering continues from June to July. The leaves of this shrub are characterized by anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, astringent, emollient and sweat-limiting action, the ability to stop bleeding. It is used in the form of infusion or decoction of leaves for stomatitis, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, in the form of therapeutic douching in case of tonsillitis and gynecological diseases, it is effective as a means of reducing sweating - the effect of this plant occurs after 1-2 hours, and the inhibition of sweating processes can continue sometimes the whole day, it is also recommended for menopausal women, and even as a means of reducing lactation in nursing mothers.

Most valuable plants, typical for the steppes, white and medicinal sweet clover, Siberian sainfoin, strawberries, Siberian snakeheads, tuberous gooseberry, steppe and creeping thyme, steppe sage, fragrant schizonepeta, catnip, Siberian cornflower, Altai aster, common hatma, slime onion.
Less valuable are Danish astragalus, sickle-shaped alfalfa, Ural licorice, spiked speedwell, yellow scabiosa, and steppe carnation. Weak melliferous plants are Siberian pomegranate, Morison's mustard, Baikal's mustard, backache, starodubka.

Hogweed Siberian Dissected, Puchka, Pikan -Heracléum sibíricum. Herbaceous plant of the Umbelliferae family. Siberian hogweed, despite the name, is a predominantly European species, common to the whole Central Russia. It is also distributed in Central Europe, Ciscaucasia and in Western Siberia(in its southern part it reaches Altai). It is found in the Crimea, in Kazakhstan (Dzungarian Alatau). It grows in damp places - in meadows, between shrubs. Grows in meadows (especially floodplains), along the banks of rivers and streams, edges, roadside meadows, and […]

Weed plant. The species infests all types of crops, occurs in fallows, in orchards and orchards, as well as along roads, along ditches, and in fallows. Contains white milky juice. Strong honey and pollen. Allocates nectar only in the morning hours, because. flowers close in the afternoon. Medosbor intensive up to 380 kg per hectare. Honey crystallizes quickly, dark amber color. The pollen is dark yellow.

Perennial herbaceous plant 30 - 90 cm high of the Compositae family. Grows in various meadows, clearings, meadow clearings, along roads in many regions of Russia. It is well visited by bees, which, under favorable conditions, weather conditions collect a lot of nectar and pollen from it. Honey productivity in terms of solid arrays is over 100 kg/ha. Yellow pollen.

Perennial melliferous herbaceous plant. Sandy cumin grows mainly on sandy soils, on dry copses, forest clearings, hills, on fallow lands, rocky and sandy slopes everywhere. The hard scales of the inflorescence wrapper do not wither and do not lose color even when the inflorescences are cut - hence the name of the plant immortelle.

Mediocre honey. Blossoms in June-September, fruits ripen in August-September. Perennial herbaceous plant from the Asteraceae family. It grows on sandy and loamy fresh and moist soils, in meadows, forest clearings, forest edges, in bushes, less often as a weed in crops. Prefers average soil fertility and drainage.

Perennial herbaceous plant from the Asteraceae family. It grows in the steppe and forest-steppe zones of the European part of Russia, in Western Siberia. It grows in damp places, along the banks of rivers and mountain streams, in tall grass meadows, forest clearings and edges, in thickets of shrubs. Bad honey. There is no marketable honey from elecampane.

Perennial herbaceous plant. It grows on hillsides, in dry meadows, forest edges and clearings, on borders, in drier places. Widespread throughout forested areas. Honey plant, but gives the bees an insignificant collection of nectar. On our personal observations, bees visit this honey plant in dry hot weather. Amber-colored honey, very fragrant, has the aroma of a flowering plant. Crystallizes quickly […]

Herbaceous perennial plant from the Crassulaceae family. Grows on dry grassy slopes. In dry shrub thickets, in dry meadows, among stony placers. Good honey and pollen. It is actively visited by bees and bumblebees. According to our observations in the vicinity of the agro-bio station of the Uesuedi Pedagogical Institute, the flowers of the stonecrop were visited from morning to evening by bees, who collected nectar and pollen. The nectar production of one flower […]

A biennial herbaceous plant from the Apiaceae family. It grows near roads, in fields, in vegetable gardens, orchards. Minor honey plant and pollen plant. Flowers are visited by bees reluctantly, but actively by flies. The nectar productivity of 100 flowers is 5.8-11.1 mg of sugar. Blooms in July-August.

Perennial herbaceous plant. Grows on roadsides, like weeds in the field, cultivated plants. Good honey and pollen. The flowers are eagerly visited by bees, who collect pollen in the morning and nectar by noon. According to N. N. Kartoshova (1955), in the Tomsk region, it produces from 1 ha to 200-250 kg of nectar containing 35-40% sugar.

Perennial herbaceous plant from the Rosaceae family. It grows in mixed grass meadows, on the edges of mixed forests, among shrubs. It is known that the leaves of the meadowsweet contain in large numbers vitamin C (370 mg/%). Therefore, young shoots and leaves are used in writing for salads, flowers are used as tea brewing.

Pharmacy burnet - Sanguisorba officinalis L. Perennial herbaceous plant. Grows in oak forests, shrubs and dry meadows. On the Far East small-flowered and glandular burnet also grow - weak honey plants, but good pollen plants. Appearance Up to 60 cm in height, from the Rosaceae family. Stems erect, branched, strongly leafy, pubescent with hairs. Basal leaves are large, pinnate, glabrous above, […]

Geobotany

Theme 4

Lecture 2

Lecture questions

steppe zone

desert zone

Steppe zone.

The steppe zone stretches as a continuous strip across the European part of the country and Western Siberia from the south of Ukraine to the Ob River. AT Eastern Siberia steppes are found only in the form of separate islands among the taiga ( Krasnoyarsk region, Transbaikalia).

The steppe zone is defined as a territory where the zonal vegetation is a community of herbaceous xerophytes. It is xerophilous grasses that tolerate drought well that form the basis of steppe phytocenoses. Currently within steppe zone you can find only relatively small areas of the steppes (for example, in reserves). Vast areas have been plowed up and the natural vegetation cover has not been preserved here.

natural conditions. The climate of the steppe zone is continental. Summers are hot and dry; winters are cold, more or less frosty, with stable snow cover. Precipitation falls 300-500 mm/year, sometimes less. A characteristic feature of the steppe climate is that the amount of precipitation is much less than evaporation. In the warm season, plants almost constantly experience a lack of moisture. Most of the precipitation falls in the middle of summer, during the hot season, and in the form of short-term heavy showers. This makes it difficult for plants to use moisture, since water quickly drains over the soil surface, and part of it evaporates without having time to penetrate into the soil layer. In the open spaces of the steppes, winds almost constantly blow, which increase the evaporation of water from the above-ground plant organs. From time to time there are dry winds - hot, withering winds, which are especially dangerous.

Soils of the steppe zone - various varieties chernozems (typical, podzolized, leached, ordinary, southern, etc.). Chestnut soils are common in the south of the zone.

steppe plants. The steppes are dominated by herbaceous xerophytes. Soddy (densely bushy) cereals with very narrow leaf blades are especially characteristic of the steppes. Among them, it is necessary to name first of all different kinds feather grass ( Stipa). Feathers grow in fairly large dense "bushes" (slide 6). Their leaves are almost always folded lengthwise. The stomata, through which water evaporates, are located on the inner surface of the leaf, which reduces moisture loss (this is important in arid climates). The lower lemmas of the feather grass are equipped with a very long awn, which is articulated and covered with hairs in many species (pinnate feather grass).

The number of narrow-leaved turf grasses also includes fescue ( Festuca valesiaca) (slide 7) and thin-legged slender ( Koeleria cristata) (slide 8).

Some legumes are also found in the steppes, for example sandy sainfoin ( Onobrychis arenaria) (slide 9), various types of clover ( Trifolium) (slide 10), astragalus ( Astragalus) (slide 11), etc. All of them are quite drought-resistant, they tolerate a lack of moisture well.

A significant role in the steppe phytocenoses is played by herbs - representatives of various families dicot plants(except beans). As an example, we can name the types of zopnik ( Phlomis), sage ( Salvia), bruise ( Echium) and others (slides 12-14).

A special group is made up of steppe ephemeroids - perennial herbaceous plants that develop only in spring, when there is enough moisture in the soil. By their summer above-ground part dries up completely. An example of plants of this type can be bluegrass bulbous ( Poa bulbosa) (slide 15), different types of tulip ( Tulipa) (slide 16).

Ephemera are also characteristic of the steppe - annual plants that completely go through the entire life cycle within a few weeks. They emerge from seeds in early spring, develop rapidly, begin flowering and have time to form new seeds before the onset of summer drought. At the same time, the plants themselves die off completely. Among the steppe ephemera, we can name the crescent hornhead ( Ceratocephala falcata), Bedbug pierced-leaved ( Lepidium perfoliatum), some types of grits ( Draba) and others (slides 17-19) These small plants are most abundant in the southern steppes, where the summer drought is especially severe.

Apart from herbaceous plants some shrubs are also found in the steppes. They often form small thickets against the background of steppe vegetation. At the contact of the steppe with the forest, a shrub edge almost always develops. Steppe shrubs include, for example, blackthorn, or wild plum ( Prunus spinosa), bean, or wild almond ( Amygdalus nana), various types of spirea ( Spiraea), caragans ( Caragana) (slides 20-23).

Subzones. Let us consider the subzones in the steppes of the European part of Russia and neighboring states, where they are well expressed. Here, the northern part of the steppe zone, adjacent to broad-leaved forests, is the most humid, while to the south the climate becomes more and more arid. As a result, the vegetation cover also changes from north to south. The steppe zone in this region is usually divided into three subzones.

The first of them, the most northern, - meadow subzone, or northern, steppes. It is characterized by the fact that in the watershed spaces there are both sections of the steppe and areas of oak forests, and the steppe vegetation resembles meadows in appearance. Sometimes this lane is also called forest-steppe.

The second, more southern, subzone - forb-turf-cerealsteppes. Here, on the watersheds, only steppe vegetation absolutely dominates, and a drier version of the steppes is common. Forest areas are found only along beams and depressions, where Better conditions moisture. The situation is similar in the third, southernmost, subzonesod-cereal steppes. However, here the watersheds are dominated by an even drier variant of the steppes.

Variants in the steppes starting with the wettest.

Meadow, or northern, steppes have a rather high (up to 80-100 cm) and dense grass cover, in which forbs predominate, and feather grasses play a subordinate role.

During the flowering period of plants, the meadow steppe is very similar in appearance to a colorful meadow. Here you can find many types of herbs with bright beautiful flowers. Such, for example, are six-petal meadowsweet ( Filipendula vulgaris), Bruise red ( Echium rubrum), meadow sage ( Salvia pratensis), Kozelets purple ( Scorzonera purpurea) and many others (slides 24-27). In addition to herbs, there are also cereals, but mostly broad-leaved - Coastal Rump ( Bromopsis riparia), Sheep hairy ( Helictotrichon pubescens), Wheatgrass average ( Agropyron intermediate) and others (slides 28-30). On the contrary, there are quite a few typical steppe narrow-leaved grasses. This is mainly Welsh fescue, or fescue (Festuca valesiaca) and feather grass ( Stipa pennata) is one of the most moisture-loving feather grasses (slides 31-32).

A remarkable feature of the meadow steppes is a very high species richness. So, in the meadow steppe in the Central Chernozem Reserve near Kursk, up to 80-90 plant species can be counted per 1 m. In this respect, the meadow steppe is unique.

The meadow steppe is characterized by a change in the external appearance of the vegetation cover during the warm season, the so-called change of aspects. This happens because one or another plant blooms in the mass, giving the steppe one color or another (yellow, white, blue, blue, etc.).

A more southern version of the steppe - forb-fescue-feather grass. It is distinguished by noticeably sparse and low grass cover. Here the role of narrow-leaved turf grasses sharply increases. Fescue and various feather grasses dominate, and not those of their species that in the meadow steppe, but others that are more drought-resistant. At the same time, the role of herbs is quite large. But among this group of plants, more drought-resistant species are also common - Sage drooping ( Salvia nutans), prickly prickly ( Phlomis pungens) and some others (slides 33-34). Species saturation is less than in the meadow steppe.

The southernmost, fescue-feather grass steppes are even more different from the meadow ones. The grass cover here is especially rare and low (up to 30-40 cm). Narrow-leaved turf grasses absolutely dominate. In addition to fescue, there are the most drought-resistant types of feather grass, for example Lessing's feather grass, or feather grass ( Stipa lessingiana) (slide 35). There are very few herbs. Between the tussocks of fescue and feather grass, various ephemeral annuals appear in spring: pierced-leaved bug, sickle-shaped hornhead, etc. There are also ephemeroid perennials - bulbous bluegrass, various types of tulip, etc.

In terms of species saturation, the southern steppes are significantly inferior to other steppe options. Here you can meet no more than 10-15 species per 1 m.

For southern steppe characteristic plants that are called "tumbleweed". They belong to different families of flowering plants, but have a fairly similar appearance. Their aerial part is a loose tangle of branches, more or less spherical in shape. In autumn, this ball easily breaks away from the soil and rolls over the expanses of the steppe with the wind. An example of such plants can be Kachim paniculata ( Gypsophila paniculata), Common eryngium ( Eryngium campestre), Tatar goniolimon ( Goniolimon Tataricum) and others (slides 33-34).

Ctepi, located in the Asian part of Russia and neighboring states.

The steppes of the south of Western Siberia (Baraba steppe) in appearance somewhat resemble the meadow steppes of the European part of the territory under consideration, but differ from them in noticeable waterlogging and salinity of the soil. As a result, the species composition of plants here is quite specific (many halophytes, etc.). The steppes of Kazakhstan in terms of plant composition have much in common with the steppes of the south of the European part of Russia and neighboring states. Here, as in the European part of the country, there are subzones of forb-turf-grass and turf-grass steppes.

In Eastern Siberia, only individual steppe islands are common, most often located among the taiga. Their vegetation is very peculiar.

The flora of the steppes of Eastern Siberia is very different from the flora of the steppes of the European part of the country. Here, for example, special Mongolian elements are widespread. However, there are also common plants, primarily some cereals: Welsh fescue, or fescue (Festuca valesiaca) and thin-legged slender ( Koeleria cristata), Hairy feather grass, etc. (slide 39-41).

It is noteworthy that in the East Siberian steppes, even the most southern ones, there are no or very few ephemeroid perennials (such as tulips, bird-bearers, crocuses, etc.). Extremely rare are ephemeral annuals, so common in the southern Russian steppes. The grass stand is based on perennial grasses and herbs.

desert zone

The desert zone is located south of the steppe zone. It extends in the form of a continuous strip from the extreme southeast of the European part of the country (lower reaches of the Terek, Volga and Ural) to the eastern borders of Central Asia and Kazakhstan. There is also a small array of deserts in Transbaikalia, on the border with Mongolia and China.

The zonal vegetation of deserts is peculiar. The most drought-resistant xerophytes predominate, most often semishrubs, and the vegetation cover is more or less sparse and open. The sparseness of the vegetation cover is one of the most characteristic features of deserts.

natural conditions. The climate of the deserts is sharply continental, even hotter and drier than in the steppes. Temperature fluctuations throughout the year are very large. Long hot summers give way to frosty winters with snow cover. The average July temperature reaches 25°C. In winter, the thermometer can drop well below zero. Temperature fluctuations are also very large during the day in the summer. An unbearably hot day gives way to a rather cold night. All this is characteristic of a sharply continental climate.

In deserts, the soil surface heats up to 60-70 °C in summer. Such temperatures can be tolerated only by the most heat-resistant plants. High temperatures are dangerous for plants not only in themselves, but also because transpiration increases sharply. Contribute to the loss of moisture and strong winds, common in the desert.

Deserts are characterized by extreme dryness of the climate. The annual amount of precipitation does not exceed 200-300 mm, and evaporation is several times greater. In the summer, when it is very hot, the plants almost completely do not receive moisture, they experience acute water starvation.

desert soils usually more or less saline, which is unfavorable for the existence of many plants. Deserts are characterized by gray soils and gray-brown desert soils.

With regard to the nature of the substrate, deserts are sandy, clayey, saline and stony (gravelly). Each of these edaphic types of deserts has a special, peculiar vegetation cover. Sandy deserts are the most common in Russia and neighboring states, and the areas of clay deserts are quite large. Other types are less common.

Distinguish two climatic types of deserts: deserts, where precipitation falls little by little more or less evenly over the seasons, and deserts, where the bulk of precipitation falls in the spring. These types of deserts differ sharply in vegetation cover.

desert plants. In deserts, there are various life forms of plants: subshrubs, shrubs, perennial and annual grasses, and even trees. Semi-shrubs are especially characteristic. In these plants, the lower part is lignified, perennial, and the shoots of the current year die off by winter almost throughout. Semishrubs are represented in the deserts of the territory under consideration by various types of wormwood and plants from the Marev family. True shrubs are found mainly in sandy deserts. Herbaceous plants primarily include ephemeroid perennials (for example, some grasses and sedges) and ephemeral annuals. Of the trees in the deserts, only some types of saxaul are common (slide 42).

Many of the most common desert plants belong to the Marev family. This is salient feature flora of the deserts of Russia and neighboring states. In the vegetation cover of all other natural zones of our country, the species of this family do not play a big role.

Almost all desert plants are able to tolerate prolonged and severe drought well. Different plants have different ways of adapting to drought.

One of these adaptations is leaflessness (aphyllia). In this case, the leaves either do not develop at all, or have the appearance of barely noticeable scales. The functions of photosynthesis are performed by thin green stems of the current year (for example, in saxaul). The absence of true wide leaves greatly reduces the total evaporative surface of the plant, thereby reducing moisture loss.

Another adaptation to the transfer of drought is the shedding of the shoots of the current year and leaves with the onset of summer heat (such a phenomenon is observed, for example, in some polynyas). This also greatly reduces evaporation.

In a peculiar way, succulents adapt to the transfer of drought: they accumulate water reserves in their aerial part (a special aquifer tissue serves for this).

A special way of adaptation is observed in ephemers and ephemeroids. They, developing in the spring, seem to “leave” the summer drought. These plants tolerate the unfavorable dry season in the form of seeds or dormant underground organs located in the soil (rhizomes, bulbs, etc.). By their nature, both ephemera and ephemeroids are mesophytes.

Phreatophytes (pump plants) form a specific group of desert plants. They develop normally only if their roots reach the groundwater level. Phreatophytes do not suffer at all from summer drought, as they are always provided with moisture. They turn green and bloom in the midst of summer. An example of plants of this type can be the semi-shrub Camel's thorn ( Alhagi pseudalhagi), the roots of which are able to penetrate the soil to a depth of 10-15 m (slide 43).

For desert plants, it is characteristic that their above-ground part is many times smaller in mass than the underground. Desert plants are mostly submerged in the soil.

Among the plants found in deserts, there are quite a few more or less salt-tolerant ones that can grow on saline soils. There are also real halophytes that can tolerate severe salinity.

Subzones. Three subzones are distinguished within the desert zone: semi-deserts, northern clay deserts, and southern clay deserts.

Semi-desert subzone- the northernmost. It is a transition zone between steppe and desert. Phytocenoses are formed both by narrow-leaved steppe turf grasses (for example, feather grasses) and desert semishrubs (species of wormwood, etc.). Both grow together.

However, the vegetation cover on the positive and negative microrelief forms differs greatly. On microelevations, where the soils are drier, semishrubs predominate and phytocenoses characteristic of the desert are formed. In microdepressions, where soils are more humid, turf grasses dominate and steppe phytocenoses develop. With a well-defined microrelief, the vegetation cover has a spotty character. Spots of semi-desert, desert and steppe vegetation alternate with each other, forming a motley mosaic.

Northern clayey subzonedeserts characterized by the fact that precipitation here falls little by little and more or less evenly throughout the year. The vegetation cover is sparse, the surface of the soil is visible everywhere, not covered with plants. Subshrubs predominate, growing in the form of low, squat, rounded pillows. This group of plants is represented by various wormwoods and species of the haze family (they are called "saltworts"). Of the sagebrush, Wormwood of the white earth is especially common ( Artemisia terrae- albae), growing in the form of pillows of a dull grayish-greenish color (slide 44).

In the group of hodgepodges, you can call the gray-haired quinoa, or kok-pek ( Atriplex cana), Anabasis solonchak, or biyurgun ( Anabasis salsa), Anabasis leafless, or itsegek ( Anabasis aphylla) (slides 45-47). These plants also grow in pillow form. In some of them, the leaves look like small scales or are not developed at all, and the functions of photosynthesis are performed by young green stems. Solyanka are good fodder plants, they are readily eaten by livestock (sheep and camels). According to the peculiarities of the vegetation cover, the northern clay deserts are called wormwood-saltwort. Deserts of this type are widespread in southern Kazakhstan.

Subzone of southern clayey deserts characterized by the fact that the bulk of precipitation here falls in the spring, while in the summer they do not happen at all for 3-4 months. Winter in this subzone is comparatively warm, sunny, and usually without snow. The vegetation cover is dominated by ephemeroids - some perennial grasses and sedges. They develop only in spring, when the soil is sufficiently moist. At this time, the desert resembles a green lawn. Plants form a continuous, but rather low cover. This is excellent pasture for livestock. With the onset of a summer drought, the above-ground part of the plants dies off and the soil is exposed. In summer, no plants are visible here. In the desert of this type, the grass Bulbous Bluegrass and Short-columnar Sedge are especially common. (Carex pachystylis) (slides 48-49) . Both plants are quite small, low. During the summer drought, only the underground organs located shallow in the soil remain alive in them. Southern clay deserts are called ephemeral. They are distributed only in the extreme south of Central Asia, and in a relatively small area.

A very special, peculiar type are sandy deserts. They occupy a very large area (Karakum, Kyzylkum, etc.) and are located in those areas where the bulk of precipitation falls in the spring. The sandy desert is a set of large dunes covered with bushes. Thickets of shrubs are relatively dense and often reach the height of human growth. Sands in desert conditions contain more moisture than loamy and clayey soils, as a result of which the plant world is especially rich here.

Among the shrubs of the sandy desert, first of all, representatives of the genus Juzgun ( Calligonum). All of them have extremely poorly developed leaves, resembling very small scales, and original fruits - loose reddish balls (slide 50).

In addition to juzgun, various other shrubs and small trees, such as sand locust, are also found in the sandy desert. (Ammodendron conollyi), chingil (Hcdimodendron halodendron) , eremosparton (Eremosparton flaccidum) and others (slides 51-53)

A real tree grows in the sandy desert - white saxaul (Haloxylon persicum). The appearance of the saxaul is very peculiar (slide 54). Its trunk is winding, knotty, the crown is very loose and consists mainly of thin green twigs, freely hanging down like whips (therefore, the tree gives almost no shade).

In spring, in the sandy desert, a continuous green cover of grasses develops on the soil. The bloated sedge is especially abundant here , or ilak (Carex physodes), - comparatively small plant. A distinctive feature of this sedge is large reddish brownish oval sacs located in a small group at the end of the stem (slide 55). The swollen sedge is one of the ephemeroids. It turns green only in spring, and by the summer its aerial part dries up. This plant is of great nutritional importance.

In the sandy desert, annual ephemera are also found, for example, the Mortuk Bonaparte grass ( Eremopyrum bonaepartis), Malcolmia grandiflora ( Malcolmia grandiflora), Hornhead falciform ( Ceratocephala falcata), Veronica bow-legged ( Veronica campylopoda) (slides 56-59). All these plants wither with the onset of summer, completing their life cycle and dispersing their seeds.

Takov in in general terms flora of the sandy desert. It should be emphasized that it was only about immovable, fixed sands, where the vegetation cover is in its natural state. With too much grazing, the plant cover is destroyed and the sand sets in motion. The final stage of this process is exposed loose sands blown by the wind. Over time, some specific pioneer plants settle on such mobile dunes, which contribute to the fixation of sand, for example, Celine grass ( Aristida karelinii) (slide 60). However, the restoration of vegetation is very slow and with great difficulty.

In our country, there are also saline or juicy-salt deserts that do not occupy large areas. They develop on highly saline moist soils in depressions, drainage basins, etc. Succulent halophytes from the haze family dominate here: Sarsazan ( Halocnemum strobilaceum), Soleros ( Salicornia europaea), potashnik ( Kalidium caspicum), some species of Sveda (Suaeda) and others (slides 61-64). These plants are called juicy saltworts. The vegetation cover of the saline desert is usually quite dense and continuous. However, it is formed by only a very few species (usually two or three, and sometimes even one). Plants here are constantly provided with moisture and vegetate from spring to late autumn. They die only with the onset of frost.

Seminar Questions

Vegetation cover of Russia and neighboring states

I.1. Steppe zone:

1.1. Zonal vegetation;

1.2. natural conditions;

1.3. Soils of the steppe zone;

1.4. Steppe plants.

1.5. Subzones:

1.5.1. Meadow, or northern, steppes (forest-steppe);

1.5. 2. Forbs-turf-grass steppes;

1.5. 3. Turf-cereal steppes.

I.6. Features of the steppes of the Asian part of Russia and neighboring states

II.1. Desert zone:

1.1. natural conditions;

1.2. Desert soils;

1.3. Climatic types of deserts.