Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin is a rhizome polycarpic plant with monocarpic generative shoots. It belongs to resource plants. The aboveground and underground parts of the plant are used as fodder, medicinal raw materials and in the cosmetic industry. The species is classified as rare throughout Russia, except for the Altai Republic. Irrational use leads to disruption of seed and vegetative regeneration of plants. The main research of the species in literatureis devoted to resource estimates and practical application. The variability of the morphometric characteristics of the species under anthropogenic impact has not been sufficiently studied. The purpose of this work is a comparative analysis of the growth and development of R. carthamoides in various ecological and geographical conditions of the Altai Republic. In two undisturbed habitats (UH) near the village of Kaitanak and Katun Nature Reserve (Ust-Koksinsky district) and in two places under conditions of anthropogenic influence - grazing place (GP) (Seminsky pass (Shebalinsky district) and in the Shavla protected area (Ongudaysky district) the species was investigated. Morphometric features of the vegetative and generative parts of mature generative individuals of R. carthamoides have been studied. The study showed the presence of a powerful regeneration zone and a more developed system of rosette shoots with large leaves in UH. In places with the presence of GP in R. carthamoides, a decrease in the power and productivity of individuals was revealed, the process of seed and vegetative renewal was disturbed. Significant correlations of features in NM were found. The diameter of the aboveground part of plants is related to the number of vegetative rosette shoots and the size of their leaves and the height of generative shoots (r = 0.75; 0.55, 0.63). That trates determines the stability of individuals of the species. Adaptation in individuals of the species under AB conditions was accompanied of the disintegration of growth and development characteristics. We have revealed a decrease in the photosynthetic surface and a decrease in the capacity of the regeneration zone. This process can lead to a violation of the coenotic role of the species up to its loss from the grass stand.