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Which grasses and plants grow on the Eurasian Steppe?

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Map showing the extent of the Eurasian steppes, highlighted in green, stretching from eastern Europe through Ukraine and southern Russia, across Kazakhstan, and into Mongolia and northern China. The map labels the Western Steppe and Eastern Steppe regions and includes major geographic features, countries, and ancient sites within the steppe zone. — the Steppe Extent of the Eurasian steppes.

The vegetation of the Eurasian Steppe is dominated by various types of turf and true grasses, which typically grow to heights of no more than half a meter (1.5 feet).12

Key plant species found in this region include:

Grasses: Common varieties include bunchgrass, fescue (Festuca), bluegrass, agropyron, needlegrass (Stipa), and bromegrass (Bromus).12
Other Vegetation: The landscape also supports perennial grasses, mosses, and lichens. Additionally, small flowering shrubs and low-growing forbs are common, with the specific composition of these plant communities varying depending on the local environment.12

In the southern, drier portions of the steppe, drought-resistant species become more prevalent as the landscape transitions toward semidesert. While the region is characterized by its vast, open grasslands, woodland vegetation can still be found in damper areas, such as river valleys and depressions. Much of the original steppe vegetation, particularly in the western sections, has been replaced by grain cultivation due to the high fertility of the chernozem soil.1