Большая Ендова, Protected steppe in Mokshansk District, Penza Region, Russia.
Bolshaya Endova is a protected steppe area featuring a large natural basin with steep slopes surrounding a wide, open depression. The site contains rare plant species including Austrian milk-vetch and Spanish salsify scattered across its grassland floor.
Botanist I. I. Sprygin conducted the first scientific studies of this area in 1898, documenting its botanical significance. His work led to the designation of this steppe as a protected natural monument.
The name Endova comes from an ancient drinking vessel, named after the bowl-like shape of this natural depression. Visitors can appreciate this connection by observing how the surrounding slopes form the distinctive hollow that inspired the designation.
Wear sturdy footwear since the slopes are steep and the grassland can be slippery, especially after rain. Explore the basin on foot at a gentle pace to safely observe the vegetation patterns and rare plant species throughout the site.
The slopes feature waist-high grass formations mixed with dense thickets of grey eurotia, creating distinctive vegetation patterns. This gray-toned plant composition gives the depression a visually unique texture that sets it apart from surrounding grasslands.
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