The Mongolian name for saxaul is “zag.” The saxaul is a large shrub or small tree belonging to the cactus family that is frequently found in the Gobi and other parts of Mongolia. It grows slowly in the sand of the Gobi up to an average of about 3 meters. The plant appears nearly leafless, as the leaves are actually very small scales. The saxaul shrub blooms from March to April and produces over 100,000 seeds, so it can grow in large numbers with the right conditions in the desert. The saxaul is very drought-resistant, so it is well-adapted to the Gobi Desert and can survive its harsh climate, but it is dependent on underground water sources. The succulent branches of the saxaul are able to easily absorb and store water reserves behind the spongy bark, and they have vitamins and minerals that are good for camels, sheep and goats to eat. When the branches are burned for fuel, they produce heat equal to medium-quality coal, but because it was frequently used as firewood, there was a decline of saxaul shrubs.
Nowadays, most of the locals stopped using it for fuel since they realized the saxaul shrub is a very important plant for the ecosystem of the Gobi and prevents sand movement and erosion from the wind and helps slow desertification.