Asian globe flower. Republic of Khakassia

Zharok (Trollius asiaticus) - this is the name the locals in Khakassia give to this flower - burns with a magical orange flame in the fields and meadows almost all summer, reminding us of the ancient legends that the Khakassian land is so rich in.

Majestic mountains, steppes, dense taiga, healing lakes, the mighty Yenisei. The land of five elements, a crossroads of civilizations -Khakassia is famous not only for its unique natural diversity but also for its archaeological heritage. Burial mounds, graves, ancient settlements, towns, fortresses, rock carvings, stone statues - here, almost every meter of land is scattered with archaeological monuments. And all this natural and historical wealth, of course, is reflected in many beautiful legends. One of them is associated with zharok, which has become the hallmark of the region.

The legend tells of a poor shepherd named Sayan, who herded the master's cattle from morning till night. One day, a pack of wolves attacked the flock. Sayan managed to save the master’s cattle with great difficulty, but he himself was injured by the wolves. Bleeding, he crawled to Lake Shira, famous for its healing waters. With the help of this water, Sayan healed his wounds. Along his path, where drops of his blood fell, flowers grew, which people called zharok.

In nature, zharok grows in damp meadows, forest glades, forests, ascending into high mountains up to the alpine belt, and in the north, it penetrates the tundra. Since the XVIII century, the Asian globe flower has also settled in European gardens - its seeds were sent to the famous naturalist Carl Linnaeus by the scientist and traveler Erik Laxman, who lived and worked in Siberia at the time.

The Asian globe flower is valued not only for its beauty but also for its medicinal properties. In folk medicine, an infusion of the plant is used to treat jaundice, as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory agent, and remedy for scurvy. Zharok is widely used in Tibetan and Mongolian medicine.

The beauty and unique medicinal properties of the plant have led to the Asian globe flower being listed in the Red Data Book of Russia. This flower has become a symbol of Khakassia and its capital – it is depicted on the coat of arms of Abakan.