Nowhere Else on Earth: Scientists Discover “Herb of Immortality” in Western Kazakhstan

Kazakh and Russian botanists have made a sensational discovery, Orda.kz reports.

During the Inder-2025 expedition, researchers found a new, previously unknown plant species in the Caspian salt marshes — Astragalus ivanovii, or Ivanov’s astragalus. It is a low-growing semi-shrub with pinkish-cream flowers and unusual hollow pods.

The plant was discovered by Sayagul Akhmedenova, a graduate student from Atyrau. She immediately recognized that it was something extraordinary, and she was right. This species had never been documented by science before.

When we saw the plant with its unusual hollow pods, we instantly felt it was something unique. It turned out to be a rare and highly localized endemic of the Inder District. In that moment, I felt like I had reached the peak of my scientific journey — I became immortal. My name is now forever inscribed,said Sayagul Akhmedenova, a postgraduate researcher in the Department of Fundamental Biology at Astrakhan State University. 

The new species was named after Soviet scientist Vladimir Ivanov, who dedicated his work to studying the Caspian region’s natural environment. The discovery has already received international recognition, and a specimen has been added to the global botanical database.

Astragalus is an ancient and rare plant that was referred to in antiquity as the “herb of immortality” due to its medicinal properties. It’s known to support the immune system, lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation. There are approximately 5,000 known species of Astragalus worldwide, and now, a unique Kazakh endemic joins their ranks.

The expedition also uncovered three other potentially new plant species. Scientists are now proposing the creation of a specially protected natural area in the Inder District to safeguard the region’s unique plant life.

Original Author: Daniel Arturov