Leuzea Carthamoides (Asteraceae)

A very hardy subalpine plant that is native to southern Siberia and Kazakhstan. This plant has many names and nearly as many claims about it’s uses. A common name, maral root, refers to the native maral deer that feed on the plant. The plant has deeply incised leaves growing from a crown and puts up a pretty magenta, thistle-like blossom on 3’-5’ stems in mid-summer.  It is widely cultivated in Europe and Russia for its medicinal properties where it is widely regarded as a powerful adaptogen and performance enhancer.