Feather grass. Orenburg region

The blooming of feather grass is an event of unique beauty in the Orenburg region, one that leaves a lasting impression. Feather grass is a genus of perennial monocotyledonous herbaceous plants from the family Poaceae, or true grasses. It is one of the most common plants in the steppes.

In Latin and Greek, feather grass is known as Stipa, a name closely related to the Russian word for "steppe." Feather grass thrives in dry soil, growing in steppe meadows, open hills, rocks, and stony outcrops. There are about 80 species of feather grass in Russia, and around 300 species worldwide.

Among herbaceous plants, it is considered a long-liver, with a lifespan of up to 50 years. There is a theory that the Russian name for the grass (kovyl) comes from the verb "kovyljat," meaning to hobble, as the grass sways gently and leans towards the ground. Another theory links the plant's name to the Gothic word hawi and the Old German hewi, both of which mean "hay."

The population of feather grass suffers due to the plowing of fields. Some of its species are considered endangered and are protected by law. In the Orenburgsky Nature Reserve, there are 14 species of feather grass, 5 of which are listed in the Red Book.