Steppe plants are extremely diverse, but many of them have common characteristics. Among them are small, narrow leaves. In some species, they have the ability to curl up during drought to protect themselves from excessive evaporation of moisture. The color of the leaves is often grayish or bluish-green: the usual bright green foliage can rarely be found here. Steppe plants tolerate heat and lack of rain well.
According to various reference books, in the steppe you can see about 220 various types plants. Many steppe plants have branched root system, allowing them to extract moisture from the ground. In the floodplains of flowing rivers you can find willows, and in those places where groundwater comes close to the surface of the earth - other trees and shrubs: hawthorn, Tatarian maple, blackthorn, etc. In places with saline soil, special steppe plants grow : salt marsh wormwood, kermek, sweda, saltwort.
Inhospitable most of the year in early spring the steppe is transforming. At this time, before the start of the dry season, it is covered with a colorful carpet early flowering plants: tulips, irises, hyacinths, crocuses, poppies. From cultivars These steppe plants are distinguished primarily by their smaller size. At the same time, their shape can be more bizarre - such as, for example, the Schrenck tulip, one of the ancestors of the cultivated 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, as well as can have flowers of various shades, from yellow to purple. This species is also listed as endangered.
Before the heat sets in, the bright steppe flowers already have time to produce seeds. Their tubers store nutrients that will allow them to bloom next year. Now comes the turn of plants accustomed to drought: fescue, feather grass, wormwood. Fescue (Valis 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 the region (fescue is not suitable for harvesting for future use). Feather grass, a typical representative of the steppe flora - perennial grass, having a short rhizome and narrow, long leaves, resembling wire. There are about 400 species in this genus, some of which are protected. The main enemy of feather grass is uncontrolled grazing, during which this plant is simply trampled. As for wormwood, in the steppe, along with other plants, almost all of its species are found (more than 180 in total). Continuous wormwood thickets are usually formed by low varieties - for example, drooping wormwood, seaside wormwood and others.
Individual steppe plants (for example, kermek) after drying form the so-called tumbleweed. At the end of summer, a dried stem of kermek is torn from the roots by 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. Common Kermek blooms pink, purple or yellow small flowers. Based on it, many cultivated varieties have now been bred, which are widely used in landscape design. Species of the genus Sveda, small-leaved and creeping, widespread on saline soils, are, respectively, a small shrub and with reddening stems. They are readily eaten by camels. Like them, saltwort also serves as livestock feed in the autumn-winter season. Soda was previously 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 individual species, narrow leaves, etc.
Plants in the steppe are usually herbaceous. Their flora is distinguished by a luxurious variety of species. The steppe is a plain with grassy vegetation, where there are rare shrubs. Trees are found only along reservoirs and forest belts planted artificially.
Plants in the steppe are usually narrow-leaved, with a rich root system that allows them to withstand temperature changes and extreme weather conditions. Plant communities are formed from several ecologically related, living species, and the formation of the community is associated with weather conditions and the type of specific site. The most typical of all is the presence of xerophytic grasses adapted to arid climates. The northern steppes are characterized by a variety of herbs, the southern steppes are characterized by a community of grasses, and the semi-desert steppes are characterized by a predominance of shrubs that can overcome strong desert winds.
Traditional steppe vegetation consists of herbaceous plants, some of which are characteristic only of this area, and some of them are found in meadows and wooded areas. The peculiarities of the color of the leaves and stems (grayish or gray-green) are associated with their ability to easily tolerate moisture deficiency, dry periods, and the ability to curl up during periods when there is no precipitation. In the steppes of the temperate zone you can find plants that are more characteristic of the meadow zone, which is easily explained by the climate in which the humidity is higher.
In addition to the usual steppe plants, plants in the steppe can also be represented by those that are of industrial importance. These include: corn, wheat, beets, barley, rye, forage crops that are used for pastures. Those herbs that are used in folk medicine, prepared for medicinal purposes, used in pharmaceutical preparations, folk remedies treatment of diseases. The Red Book of Russia includes more than 45 species of orchids, 50 species of legumes, 20 species of lilies and asteraceae, which are disappearing due to human activity. Among them are saranka lily (royal curls), dolomite bellflower, yellow iris (water iris), and yellow water lily.
The steppe, depending on the grasses, is divided into 5 main types of vegetation:
- mountain (cryoxerophilic);
- forb (mesoxeroyl);
- feather grass (xerophilous);
- desertified (haloxerophilic);
- desert (superxerophilic).
The main part of the steppes is located between forest-steppes and semi-deserts, and the flora of these zones is represented mainly by cereals. The most widespread in the steppe are different kinds feather grass
Flowering steppe plants
Steppe plants with flowers are so good that many of them are cultivated for gardens, used in landscape design, and for growing in flower beds. Such plants include spring Adonis, Anaphalis (three-veined, pearl), Goniolimon (beautiful, Tatar), Kachim (paniculate, Pacific, creeping, holly), Meadowsweet (elm-leaved, red, purple, Kamchatka), Hyacinth, Clematis (clematis) , Crocus and Narcissus.
The steppe looks most beautiful in spring. Melting snow fills the soil with water, and the sun is not yet very hot, so in April and May the spring steppe is a spectacle of indescribable beauty. At the beginning of spring, mustard, rapeseed, feather grass, and tulips bloom in the steppe. In the northern steppes, due to certain climatic conditions, flowers grow characteristic of the meadow, such as meadow sage, the flowers of which are collected in paniculate inflorescences, noticeable from afar, thanks to their intense violet-blue color. Meadowsweet blooms with a beautiful scattering of white and pink flowers that stand out brightly against the background of green spring foliage. Thin-leaved peony, growing in the northern steppes, is almost more beautiful than its garden counterparts, in natural conditions it has dark crimson flowers. In the northern steppes, Sainfoin grows, its inflorescence is soft pink, shaped like a brush pointing upward. It is used as a valuable forage plant.
The vegetation in the southern steppes is not so rich. Ephemeral plants that bloom in the southern steppe in spring are not tall. Horncap crescent, Veronica veronica, and some others manage in a short period not only to bloom, but also to form seeds before the coming dry summer period. The northern and southern steppes represent 2 radically different types of steppe vegetation, and between them there are many various types, combining 2 or several modifications: feather grass steppes with forbs, northern steppes with feather grass, steppes interspersed with forests. A growing carpet of grass and cereals greatly changes appearance steppes depending on the time of year.
Tiled swordmaker and other healers
Tiled swordweed or wild gladiolus usually grows in meadows, but it can also be found in mixed-grass steppes. A plant of incredible beauty that creates entire populations in nature, the so-called gladiolus meadows, but, unfortunately, already belongs to rare species. In the Kursk region, the thin ephemeral flower blooms with a density of up to 160 plants per 1 m²; student expeditions of biologists go to admire its flowering. This is a herbaceous perennial, classified as a corm, with three sword-shaped leaves. Its companions are usually the spreading bell and the grass carnation. The imbricated swordweed can be found even in the Murmansk region and the Komi Republic, where it survives thanks to its rhizome-tuber with reserves of nutrients for periods of drought and in winter time. It has long been used as a medicinal plant.
Oak Krupka and Siberian Krupka grow in Central Asia, Siberia, Caucasus. This tall plant with a rosette of leaves, blooming with yellowish flowers, has invaluable medicinal properties, used in the treatment of bronchi, whooping cough, as a hemostatic agent, in the form of a decoction is used to treat various skin diseases and rashes.
The northern breacher is common in many climatic zones, including in the steppes. Its decoctions have anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects, and official medicine uses extracts as part of contraceptives. In almost all steppes, wild poppy, tulip, and mullein from the Norichinaceae family grow. The composition of biologically active substances contained in its flowers and stems is simply invaluable, and, due to the absence of harmful components, it is used as a valuable food supplement. It is eaten fresh, drinks and salads are prepared from it, the infusion of the flower is useful for diseases of the spleen, liver, intestines, and is part of chest and expectorant preparations. The natural plant wealth of the steppes is very great.
Wormwood grass
Wormwood carries its specific aroma from early spring and up to late autumn. After feather grass, this is the most characteristic steppe plant, the smell of which many people associate with the steppe. Essential oils, which constitute the main wealth of wormwood, account for up to 3% of the plant's weight. Scientific research useful properties Artemisia began several decades ago, but it has been used since time immemorial as a medicinal plant.
This steppe herb has been eaten as a spice since ancient times, and was used as a disinfectant, medicinal, tonic, flavoring, and even anthelmintic. Wormwood has more than once helped geologists find mineral deposits because it changes its color and leaf shape if it grows in places where natural resources occur.
Plants are a storehouse of natural, useful, invaluable properties, a decorative spring carpet that can destroy human activity in their development. Such natural complexes need to be protected.
Steppes are a type of vegetation represented by a community of drought-resistant perennial herbaceous plants with a predominance of turf grasses, less often sedges and onions.
They are common where there is very little rainfall and the climate is moderately warm.
Habitat
If we analyze the geographical location of steppe reliefs on globe, then it will be found that the most common steppes are formed in the interior areas of the continent.
The steppe regions of the temperate zones of the southern and northern hemispheres are characterized by treeless watersheds, a dry hot climate, and the dominance of cereal greens on dark chestnut and black soil lands.
Steppes, modified by pasture digression, predominate in area and show short-grass grazing communities with a predominance of fescue and wormwood. Among other things, the steppe includes forbs and all kinds of shrubs. In addition to the mountain steppes, solonetzic steppe plants, such as wormwood, chamomile, etc., remained in small fragments on the plain. Thymes, cornflowers and other plants are specific for the steppe on gravelly lands.
Systematization
According to the research of scientists, according to the classification, steppe plants can be divided into two types:
- meadow (in the forest-steppe zone);
- typical (in the steppe zone).
Exists a large number of various plants, let’s look at just a few of them in more detail:
Biennial or perennial herbaceous plant. The height of the plant is about one and a half meters. The stem is single, straight, spreading upward. The leaves are pinnate, large, from 10 to 25 cm long and 4 to 10 cm wide. The leaves are rosette petiole, sessile, enclosing the stem.
They are green on top and covered with snow-white felt below, with tiny spines along the edges. The flowers are collected in spherical inflorescences of bluish-white color. The diameter of the spherical head is 4-5 cm. The fruits are achenes. Grows among bushes in river valleys, wastelands and forest edges.
Perennial- family Asteraceae with an erect stem. Its height varies from 45 to 62 cm. The stem leaves are pinnately dissected, separated into a huge number of lobules. The inflorescence is corymbose.
Small, snow-white flowers (pink-lilac or red). Blooms quite long time in June-August, grows on hills everywhere, can also grow on meadow steppe. Often found on steep slopes.
. 
Perennial herbaceous plant of the Liliaceae family. The stem of asparagus is erect, height up to 150 cm, branched. The leaves are reduced to scales, and modified shoots resembling leaves are created in the axils of the stem. The camouflage stem is smooth, bright, and forms shoots.
They are used as vegetable plant. The flowers are emerald yellow. The fruit is scarlet (berry). Blooms in June – July. Asparagus can grow in meadows, among small forests, in steppes and, of course, on mountain slopes.
Herbaceous plant of the family ranunculaceae. It is characterized by early flowering (from 40 to 50 days). The very first flowers, as always, are large, pale yellow, amber, terminal.
At the beginning of flowering (the height of the bush is from 10 to 15 cm), and at the time of fruiting it reaches 35 - 65 cm. It is found almost everywhere:
- each bush has from 3 to 15 generative ones;
- and from 4 to 22 vegetative processes.
. 
The plant is from the Lamiaceae family. It has a creeping and branched stem. It takes root, forming new stems. The leaves are round, kidney-shaped, petiolate. Flowers 3-5 pcs. are located in the axils of the middle leaves, they are tiny, violet-blue or azure-lilac in color.
The pedicels are five times shorter than the calyx and are provided with bracts. The height of the stems varies from 10 to 35 cm. It blooms in May-June. They can grow along ravines and on hillsides.
Perennial herbaceous plant - families St. John's wort. The stem is straight, from 45 to 75 cm in height, glabrous, with 2 edges. The leaves are elongated and sessile. The leaves are scattered with dotted containers that look like holes, hence the name - St. John's wort.
The flowers are countless, yellow-golden hue, collected in a wide paniculate, almost corymbose inflorescence. Sepals are pointed with a complete edge. The petals are twice as long as the sepals and bloom in June-July. The rhizome is not thick and stems extend from it.
Veronica dubravnaya
Perennial herbaceous plant. Green shoots remain all year round. The leaves are placed oppositely. The flower has one pistil and two stamens. Veronica fruit is compressed box. Grows in meadow areas.
. 
Plant buckwheat family, height ranges from 15 to 40 cm. It has even spreading stems. The leaves are lanceolate or elliptic, tiny, with a short root. The flowers are present in the axils of the leaves and are divided throughout the plant. The corolla of the flower is dull pink. The fruit is a nut (triangular).
Blooms from May to October. It grows along paths, on avenues, in courtyards, and in pastures. By the way, on pastures where there is a huge overload of livestock, all plant variations suffer, although not knotweed.
Common cress
Herbaceous plant - belongs to the family cruciferous. Bright greenish rosettes of colza made of intricate pinnately dissected leaves. Blooms in May-June.
With an abundance of moisture and sun from melted snow, the cress lightning fast a flowering shoot with a cluster of yellow flowers extends.
The fruit is multi-seeded, strong. The honey plant is excellent.
Violet
Belongs to the violet family. The stem reaches about 30 cm. The petioles of large broad-heart-shaped leaves (grooved). Stipules are large, rusty-red. It grows on a hill, in places with low grass cover. It will also grow well on rocky surface areas.
. 
Family (Asteraceae). The root is woody, vertical, forming branched flowering shoots and straight uneven purple branched flowering shoots.
The leaves of the shoots and the lower stem leaves are three times pinnately dissected, the lobules are 3-10 mm long (narrow-linear), slightly pointed, the upper and middle stem leaves are sessile, short, narrow-linear. The outer leaves are oval, almost rounded, plastic, green along the back, the inner leaves are filmy-edged.
The steppe zone is considered one of the main land biomes. Plants in the steppe are quite resistant to arid climates and long time can coexist under moisture deficiency.
It is a mistake to think that steppe flowers, deprived of sufficient moisture, look dull and unattractive. It is enough to remember the names of such steppe plants as hyacinth and clematis - and it immediately becomes clear that the steppes are not devoid of bright colors.
Below you will find out what other plants grow in the steppe zone and are suitable for cultivation in conditions middle zone. You can also read the names and see photos of steppe flowers decorating landscape flower beds and rockeries.
Drought-resistant steppe plants with flowers
This chapter lists steppe flowers with names that do not tolerate stagnant moisture.
Adonis (ADONIS). Ranunculaceae family.
Spring Adonis (A. vernalis) - graceful spring plant steppes of Europe and Siberia. It is a perennial with a short rhizome and branched stems forming a bush
20-30 cm high. Leaves are light green, finely divided.
The flowers are single, bright yellow, up to 8 cm in diameter, shiny and very elegant. Adonis blooms in early spring (late April - early May).
Growing conditions. Sunny areas with rich, loose, alkaline soils, well drained. This drought-resistant steppe plant with flowers does not tolerate stagnant water.
Reproduction. Preferably by seeds, as it does not tolerate dividing the bush well. The seeds do not germinate quickly throughout the year. Sow freshly harvested. Planting density - 5-6 bushes per 1 m2.
Adonis is a difficult plant to cultivate and is for experienced hobbyists. But when correct landing it can decorate a flower garden for 10-15 years without replanting.
Anaphalis. Family Asteraceae (Asteraceae).
Two species of this drought-resistant steppe plant, growing in East Asia and North America, are cultivated. A bush with erect stems 50-80 cm high, with white-tomentose pubescence on stems, leaves and flowers. The leaves are narrow, linear, entire. At the ends of the shoots there are small silvery baskets in a corymbose inflorescence. Easily self-seeding.
Types and varieties:
Anaphalis three-veined(A. triplinervis)- with larger leaves.
Anaphalis pearly(A. margaritacea)- leaves are smaller.
Growing conditions. Sunny areas with dry neutral soils.
Reproduction. By dividing the bush (spring, late summer), by seeds (sowing before winter). Transplantation and division after 3-4 years. Planting density -9 pcs. per 1 m2.
Used in mixed flower beds, mixborders, and rockeries.
Goniolimon (GONIOLIMON). Lead family.
Steppe and semi-desert perennials, typical “tumbleweeds”, forming a dense spherical bush 10-40 cm high from highly branched inflorescences and oblong ovate leaves collected in a ground rosette.
Look at the photo: These steppe flowers, which are silvery “balls,” can decorate any flower garden on dry soil and a winter bouquet.
Types and varieties:
Goniolimon is beautiful(G. speciosum)- the leaves of the rosette are round, bluish-gray, the inflorescence is shaped like an “antler”.
Goniolimon Tatarian (G. tataricum)- leaves are ovate, pointed, the inflorescence is looser, corymbose.
Growing conditions. Sunny areas with deep, well-drained soils with added sand. They do not tolerate stagnant moisture. Salinity resistant.
Reproduction. Preferably by seeds, seedlings bloom in the 2-3rd year, it is better to replant young plants. Cuttings are possible in the spring. Planting density is single.
An excellent plant for rockeries or as tapeworms on dry slopes, against the background of an inert layer (crushed stone or gravel). They are also used in, especially in winter bouquets.
Decorative steppe plants
Below you will see photos and names of steppe plants, which are the most decorative.
Let's rock, gypsophila (GYPSOPHILA). Clove family.
These are mainly perennials from the steppes and semi-deserts of Eurasia. They have a deep taproot, small lanceolate leaves on gnarled, highly branched stems. Panicle inflorescences of this ornamental plant steppe zone, consisting of small flowers, are numerous and provide an openwork, “flying” appearance of the bush (height 60-90 cm). The exception is creeping (height 10-15 cm).
Types and varieties:
Let's rock the paniculata (G. panicuiata)- large (up to 100 cm) tumbleweed bush, varieties:
"Compacta PLena"
"FLamingo"- with pink flowers.
Let's rock the creeping one (G. repens)- low, creeping, variety "Rosea" - with pink flowers.
Let's rock the Pacific (G. pacifica)- openwork bush, 50 cm high, with pink flowers.
Let's rock the holly (G. acutifoiia)- tall bush (up to 170 cm), falling apart.
Growing conditions. Sunny places with loose neutral dry soils.
Reproduction. By seeds (sown in spring), seedlings bloom in the 2-3rd year, but they need to be replanted when they are two years old. It is possible (but difficult) to propagate by renewal buds with a “heel” in the spring. Planting density - single bushes.
Meadowsweet (FILIPENDULA). Rosaceae family.
A diverse group of plants, 15 species grow in the temperate zone of Eurasia and North America. Among them there are low, dry-loving plants of the steppes - l. ordinary and tall moisture-loving - l. Kamchatka, but they are always very decorative, with a delicate aroma, easily cultivated plants with a dense inflorescence of small fragrant flowers.
Types and varieties:
Drought-resistant, relatively low (height 30-50 cm) common meadowsweet (F. vulgaris) has a rosette of lacy pinnate overwintering leaves, blooms in May, the double form - "Plena" - is often grown.
Meadowsweet (F. ulmaria)- 100-150 cm high with a dense inflorescence of small white flowers, a common plant of wet meadows and forest edges of central Russia.
Red meadowsweet (F. rubra)- 150-200 cm high with large feathery leaves and an inflorescence of pink flowers (variety “Venusta” with dark pink flowers), grows along river banks in North America.
Purple meadowsweet (F. purpurea)- 50-100 cm high with palmate leaves and a panicle of purple flowers.
Kamchatka meadowsweet(F. kamtschatica)- 150-300 cm high, forms a magnificent bush with large palmate leaves and a panicle of white flowers (grows well in partial shade on moist clay soils).
Common meadowsweet- decoration of sunny rockeries, can be planted in borders. The rest create spots in flower beds like “ natural garden"and in mixborders.
Growing conditions. Dry sunny places with neutral soil for l. ordinary, other species can grow in the sun and partial shade, but always well
moist soils.
Reproduction. By dividing the bush (in spring and late summer) and by seeds (sowing before winter). Seedlings bloom in the 2-3rd year. Planting density - from single to 12 pcs. per 1 m2.
Widely used in mixborders (in the foreground), rockeries, borders, and beds with fragrant herbs. Flowers are dried and used for flavoring
premises. Kamchatka meadowsweet is suitable for single plantings among the lawn or against the background of ground cover plants.
Hyacinth (HYACINTHUS). Hyacinth (lily) family.
The genus includes about 30 species growing in the Mediterranean. Oriental varieties are mainly grown in cultivation.
Oriental hyacinth (H. orientalis)- a bulbous perennial, spherical bulb, compact bush, belt-shaped leaves, fragrant bell-shaped flowers, in a loose racemose inflorescence located on a fleshy leafless peduncle.
In nature it grows in the steppes of Asia Minor. More than 200 varieties of this plant are known.
They are combined into two groups:
1) varieties with simple flowers;
2) varieties with double flowers.
All of them bloom in early May for 10-14 days, have different peduncle heights (15-35 cm), and differ in color.
Growing conditions. Sunny areas with well-drained, light sandy loam soil enriched with humus do not tolerate stagnant moisture. It is possible, but not necessary, to dig it up in June, dry it, and in early October plant it in the ground and cover it with spruce branches.
Reproduction. Bulbs, baby bulbs. Planting density - 25 pcs. per 1 m2.
Tall steppe flowers
Below are the names and photos of steppe flowers that reach a height of one meter.
Kermek, limonium (LIMONIUM). Lead family.
This is a tall steppe flower, also found in the semi-deserts of Europe, Central Asia and Altai. They have a thick taproot extending deep into the soil and a rosette of dense elliptical basal leaves. Branched peduncles, blue-violet flowers.
Kinds:
Kermek broadleaf(L. platyphyllum = L. latifolium)- up to 100 cm high, leaves are large, broadly oval, inflorescence loosely paniculate.
Kermek Gmelina (L. gmelinii)- 50 cm high, leaves narrowly elliptical, inflorescence pyramidal.
Growing conditions. Sunny locations with well-drained sandy or rocky soils. Tolerates light soil salinity.
Reproduction. By seeds (sown before winter), seedlings bloom in the 2-3rd year. Transplant only young plants (under 3 years of age). Planting density - 5 pcs. per 1 m2.
, clematis (CLEMATIS). Ranunculaceae family.
The genus includes shrubs, subshrubs and herbs. Herbaceous perennials have a powerful deep root system, stems 50-100 cm high. The leaves are leathery.
Flowers are solitary, drooping or in corymbose inflorescence. They grow in steppe meadows, steppes and among bushes in Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
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Slide captions:
Plants and animals of the steppe Presentation made by Brusentseva S.G., teacher primary classes MBOU Lyceum No. 6 of Essentuki
In Russian history, the steppe is understood not only as a type natural area, but also the habitat of nomads of various origins- “steppe dwellers”, united by the word “Steppe”. On the territory of southern Russia from this time to small quantity stone idols remained - “women”, most likely having the meaning of religious symbols or monuments installed at the graves of prominent members of the then society.
He walks across the steppes, filled with the aroma, stirring the oceans of feather grass like a master.
A characteristic feature of the steppe is the treelessness of vast plains covered with rich herbaceous vegetation.
Types of steppes: 1. Mixed grass steppe. Forms in conditions of good moisture. Features a large species diversity: cereals are represented by broad-leaved species; forbs include many plants characteristic of meadows and forest glades. The height of the vegetation cover can reach more than 1 m.
2. Typical steppe. There are a lot of herbs here, but their life activity ends at the end of June. The vegetation cover is no more than 0.5 m high.
3. Dry steppe. An even drier version of the steppe. The vegetation is represented by small turf grasses; Among the herbs, plants with rosette shoots, heavily pubescent or with a waxy coating on the leaves predominate. Plant height is 10-20cm.
4. Desert steppe. The driest variant of the steppe. The vegetation is low-growing (5-8 cm). Large cereals or shrubs have a large root system that goes several meters deep.
Plants of the steppes. Plant communities are represented by perennial herbaceous plants with a powerful root system, their above-ground organs are adapted to reduce water evaporation. Several groups of plants can be distinguished: turf grasses; forbs; perennials. Shrubs are also common in the steppe.
When the feather grass is in bloom, the steppe looks like a sea with waves rolling through it.
Comb wheatgrass Hair grass or sandy grass fescue Fescue or Welsh fescue Many steppe grasses are capable of forming a powerful turf, which is larger in volume than the above-ground parts of plants. The bluish color of many plants is due to the presence of a multi-layered cuticle and a waxy coating, which help reduce the evaporation of moisture through the leaves.
Forbs are represented by the following plants: Bluebells Gentian Larkspur wedge-shaped
In the steppes, with a decrease in precipitation, in rocky and saline areas, the proportion of narrow-leaved grasses and wormwood increases, and succulent plants appear - Crassulaceae, vinaceae. Young Goniolimon Tatarian Sedum
Ephedra is a low-growing branched shrub with jointed twig-like branches. The leaves are reduced to scales, the seeds are covered with a juicy orange-red cover. Sandy immortelle
Perennials are plants that bloom in early spring. In summer, the above-ground parts die off, leaving only underground storage organs with buds - bulbs, tubers, rhizomes. Tulips Iris Onion Sleep-grass or open lumbago
Spring steppe - tulips
Shrubs. A characteristic feature of steppe landscapes is the development of bushes. The absence of ungulates promotes the growth of caragana (acacia), spirea, thorns and other shrubs. Thickets of caragana (acacia) bush
Golden currant Steppe cherry
Russian broom Rosehip Aronia cotoneaster
The main part of steppe animals: a) ungulates; b) rodents and lagomorphs; c) birds; d) insects. Animals of the steppes. Large group steppe species are predators.
I live in the great steppe. It's relaxed here, pee-pee-pee! And my friend the hamster lay down on the grass, like in a hammock.
We graze, we walk in a chain, we make friends with the Australian steppe. We are curly, be-be-be, take our wool for yourself. Sheep, rams
The animal stands in a column on the steppe path. He knows all the blades of grass inside and out.
The saiga is the only surviving species of wild ungulates in the Caspian and Kazakhstan steppes. The animal is perfectly adapted to life in open spaces. The compact, dense body and slender limbs allow it to reach speeds of up to 60-80 km/h. These nomads spend most of their time in constant movement. The specific shape of the nasal cavities, forming a soft, movable proboscis, allows you to effectively filter dust, warm or cool the inhaled air. Because of this “nose,” even saigas a few days old have a thick bass voice. The ten-thousand herds of saigas have become history. To protect rare animals that migrate hundreds of kilometers annually and do not respect borders, several interstate environmental agreements have been signed.
Rodents – small sizes make these animals vulnerable and dependent on climatic conditions. 80% of mammals in the steppe zone live in burrows. To survive the harsh winter, these sedentary animals eat in the summer, accumulating thick layers of fat, and storing food in burrows. Common marmot
Lesser gopher Steppe ferret
Steppe filly
Dung beetle Ladybug Darkling beetle Gloomy moth
The bustard is a large bird (up to 16 kg) with a typical protective coloration. The little bustard is similar in lifestyle to the bustard, but smaller in size. Birds in the steppe can have a very diverse menu - they feed on plant seeds, insects, reptiles, and small rodents. These are, for example, rare and protected birds (Red Book of Kazakhstan) - bustard, little bustard, demoiselle crane. Demoiselle Crane
Among the grass and bushes you can find many small birds, filling the steppe with polyphony in the spring. Adults feed mainly on seeds; the chicks are fed insects. Shrike Gray partridge Hoopoe
Predatory animals make up special group in the steppe. They may belong to different size classes. Large ones - wolf, fox, corsac dog. Small ones - praying mantises, spiders. Medium - steppe polecat, badger, hedgehog, steppe viper, sand viper and green lizards.
Steppe Eagle Kestrel
