The Mongolia’s Gobi Desert is known for its harsh, unique climate—marked by arid soil, intense sunlight, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Despite these seemingly inhospitable conditions, the Mongolian Gobi is home to an astonishing array of plant life, many of which cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.
What makes this region truly exceptional is its ability to nurture extremely rare, endemic plant species that have adapted to survive in the desert’s unforgiving terrain. These plants have not only ecological importance but also hold great scientific and medicinal value.
Among this rich desert flora, three plant species stand out. Each of them grows exclusively in the Mongolian Gobi, and each continues to capture the attention of scientists, environmentalists, and curious travelers alike. In this article, we highlight these three extraordinary plants—treasures of Mongolia’s natural heritage that thrive where few others can.
Züüngar Goyo – The Red Goyo: The “Magic Herb” of the Mongolian Gobi
Locals call this plant the “Magic Herb of the Gobi,” and it comes in two varieties: red and white. The white variant is often referred to as the “desert bindweed flower” and plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the Gobi ecosystem. The red variant, known as the Züüngar Goyo, thrives in the Great Lakes Depression and desert-steppe zones, especially in saline hollows, depressions, and sandy areas with vegetation like Haloxylon, Ephedra, Reaumuria, and Anabasis. It is a parasitic plant, depending on the root systems of nearby shrubs for survival.
Züüngar Goyo is found in regions such as the Great Lakes Depression, Orog Lake area, and parts of Govi-Altai and Dornogovi provinces. It reproduces both by seed and vegetative organs and typically grows in association with saxaul (Haloxylon) shrubs.
From the outside, Goyo hardly looks like a plant. With no visible leaves or buds, it resembles something intentionally stuck in the sand. Despite its unassuming appearance, it lives up to its beautiful name—Goyo, meaning “graceful” or “elegant.” Its stem consists of soft, fleshy tissue, and when cut open, it releases a milky, white sap. Typically, two to four stems grow in one place, though clusters of up to ten can occasionally be found—these sites are affectionately referred to as “Goyo mines.”
During its flowering stage, the plant features a bluish-purple inflorescence on a 30–40 cm long stalk. Its deeply branching underground root system is called a “zel”, and it must remain intact when harvesting the plant. In its earliest growth stages, Goyo doesn’t emerge above the soil surface and is referred to as “beltsrüü” during this phase.
Due to its extraordinary medicinal properties and increasing rarity, the Red Goyo has been included in Mongolia’s Red Book of endangered species. It is strictly prohibited to harvest it without permission.
Traditional and Medicinal Uses
Goyo is widely used in traditional Mongolian medicine. It is believed to:
- Lower high blood pressure
- Treat diabetes and nervous disorders
- Alleviate migraines, dizziness, and joint pain
- Reduce liver and kidney inflammation
- Soothe bladder wall irritation
- Replenish blood supply — hence the belief that it possesses rejuvenating properties.
Locals say it helps with constipation, bloating, pain in the kidneys, back, and knees, and it has been traditionally used to enhance sexual vitality.
Medical texts also note that Goyo can help:
- Reduce anxiety and irritability
- Treat skin conditions like psoriasis
- Relieve acid reflux when chewed in small amounts (dried form), particularly beneficial for pregnant women and those with bile reflux issues.
The Saxaul Tree: Mongolia’s Desert Guardian (Zag Mod)
The Saxaul tree (Haloxylon ammodendron), locally known as “zag mod”, is a rare and remarkable species native to the arid deserts of Central Asia, especially the Gobi. It plays a vital role in Mongolia’s desert ecosystem and accounts for a significant portion of the country’s sparse forest resources.
Saxaul is renowned for its incredible resilience. It thrives in extreme drought conditions without relying on rainfall, extending its roots several meters deep and wide in search of moisture. Its root system can reach 5 meters downward and spread 5–10 meters horizontally, anchoring the tree firmly in the sandy soil. As a result, it acts as a natural windbreak, preventing soil erosion and stabilizing shifting sands—making it a key player in Mongolia’s fight against desertification.
One of its most extraordinary features is its high heat value. Just 100 kilograms of saxaul wood can release energy equivalent to 80 kilograms of coal, generating up to 4,500 kilocalories of heat. Due to this, locals refer to it as “living coal”. However, such energy efficiency has come at a cost—excessive harvesting for firewood has led to a drastic decline in saxaul forests across regions like Zeemeg, Tavan Ald, Galba, and Borzon Gobi. Once vast groves now remain only in scattered patches.
Saxaul also serves as a vital host plant for species like the white goyo (Cynomorium songaricum), emphasizing its ecological interconnectedness.
Efforts are now underway to restore this vital species. From mid-October, between 100–150 kg of seeds can be collected per hectare over a 20-day period. After cleaning and storing the seeds in a cool, airy environment, reforestation involves planting in double-row strips with 3 grams of seed per meter, buried 0.5–1 cm deep in sandy soil. Initial irrigation of 700–750 cubic meters of water per hectare, followed by two more watering sessions of 150–200 cubic meters over 14 days, ensures successful germination.
Through such initiatives, the saxaul tree is not only a symbol of endurance, but a powerful tool in combating desertification and preserving the fragile Gobi ecosystem.
The Gobi Desert Poplar: The Elusive Tooroi Tree
The Tooroi tree (Populus diversifolia), a rare desert poplar, belongs to the willow family and thrives in the harsh, sandy soils of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert. It prefers relatively moist microhabitats, typically near springs and streams nestled within mountain gorges. Found in select regions such as Ömnögovi, Khovd, and Govi-Altai provinces, the tree is a botanical treasure of Mongolia’s desert oases.
Approximately 53,000 individual tooroi trees have been recorded in about 30 oasis zones across the Gobi. Due to its scarcity and ecological importance, the tooroi is officially listed in Mongolia’s Red Book of endangered species.
The tree reaches heights of 6 to 10 meters and is particularly notable for its leaf diversity—featuring leaf forms typical of one willow and eight poplar species, all growing on a single tree. Its bark is greyish, and its thick, leathery leaves appear in muted shades of grey and pale green, helping reduce moisture loss in the arid climate.
The tooroi blooms in early May and completes its seed development by early July. However, young tooroi branches are a favorite among grazing livestock, often damaging the tree and hindering its natural regeneration. Because of this, its population growth is slow and highly restricted.
Propagation can be done through seeds, branch cuttings, and root sprouts. Traditionally, local herders have used the resilient tooroi wood to construct household tools, animal pens, and shade shelters—a testament to its strength and cultural value.
The tooroi stands as a silent survivor in one of the world’s most unforgiving climates, symbolizing both adaptability and fragility in Mongolia’s delicate desert ecosystems.