Maral root, or Rhaponticum, (Rhaponticum carthamoies) is a herbaceous perennial plant from the family Asteraceae that inhabits the sub-alpine zone (4,500-6,000 feet above sea level) as well as alpine meadows. It can be found growing wild in Southern Siberia, Kazakhstan, the Altay region, and Western Sayani. Maral root is widely cultivated throughout Russia and Eastern Europe.