Cirsium serratuloides

Cirsium serratuloides, commonly known as Altai thistle, is a perennial plant native to the mountainous regions of Central Asia, including Altay, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Mongolia. This thistle thrives in moist conditions with light soil that can range from sandy to heavy clay, reaching a height of 1.2 meters. It is known for its edible roots, which are often harvested for culinary use. The plant's distinctive feature lies in its ability to grow in diverse habitats across the Altai Mountains and Siberia, making it a resilient and adaptable species in its native range.