Wild plants and fungi sold in the markets of Yerevan (Armenia)

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to record wild plants and fungi sold in the capital of Armenia. This is the first large market survey in the Caucasus region. The area of the Caucasus is characterised by a very high diversity of climates, flora and languages which results in very rich traditions of plant use.

Methods: Interviews were conducted and photos and voucher specimens were taken during multiple visits made over 4 years. We studied 37 locations and 136 people were interviewed.

Results: As many as 163 plant species, belonging to 44 families and 110 genera, were recorded on Yerevan markets. This included 148 wild food species, 136 medicinal species, 45 species sold for decoration, 15 species of wood and 9 species of insect repellents. Also 14 wild species of fungi were sold, including 12 food species.

Conclusions: The list of plants sold in the markets of Yerevan is very extensive and diverse, and includes many species of wild fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants, some of them never listed in ethnobotanical directories before. A characteristic feature of this market is a large representation of lacto-fermented products. Some of the species sold in Yerevan have never been reported as human food either in wild edible plant word lists or in ethnobotanical publications, e.g. Angelica tatianae, Ferulago setifolia and Heracleum chorodanum. Fungi are also well represented.

Keywords: Caucasus; Edible plants and fungi; Ethnobotany; Ethnomycology; Food plants; Medicinal plants; Open-air markets.

Fig. 1

Distribution of studied market places (black dots) in administrative districts of Yerevan: 1. Ajapnyak, 2. Arabkir, 3. Avan, 4. Davtashen, 5. Erebuni, 6. Kanaker-Zeytun, 7. Kentron, 8. Malatia-Sebastia, 9. Nork-Marash, 10. Nor Nork, 11. Nubarashen, 12. Shengavit

Fig. 2

Wild plants sold in the markets of Yerevan aAllium victorialis. bChaerophyllum bulbosum (pickled) and Bilacunaria microcarpa (pickled). cAsparagus officinalis. dHelichrysum sp., Thymus sp., Pinus kochiana, Hypericum sp., Tanacetum sp., Salvia sp., Valeriana officinalis, Cichorium intybus, Inula helenium, Mentha piperita, Leucanthemum vulgare. eZiziphora clinopodioides. fFalcaria vulgaris. gEremurus spectabilis, Urtica dioica. hPolygonatum orientale. iChaerophyllum aureum. jOrnithogalum montanum, kRubia tinctorum roots. lChenopodium album

Fig. 3

Wild plants sold in the markets of Yerevan. aLactuca serriola. bUrtica dioica, Ornithogalum montanum, Senecio vernalis. cLepidium draba. dBilacunaria microcarpa. eOrnithogalum hajastanum dried. fMalva neglecta. gPortulaca oleracea. hGlycyrrhiza glabra. iFerulago setifolia. jTeucrium polium, Cephalaria gigantea, Crataegus sp., Helichrysum rubicundum. kTragopogon sp., lArtemisia absinthium, Equisetum arvense

Fig. 4

Wild fruits and nuts sold in the markets of Yerevan. aZiziphus jujuba. bBerberis vulgaris, Rosa canina, Crataegus orientalis. cCastanea sativa. dPyrus calicifolia, P. caucasica. eElaeagnus rhamnoides. fViburnum opulus. gRibes petraeum. hMorus alba. iRosa spinosissima. jElaeagnus angustifolia, Rosa sp., Cornus mas. kSorbus aucuparia. lPinus kochiana jam and tincture of female cones

Fig. 5

Wild mushrooms sold in the markets of Yerevan. aLepista personata. bAgaricus campestris and Lepista personata. cLepista nuda. dPleurotus ostreatus. eSuillus granulatus. fTricholoma terreum. gAgaricus bisporus

Fig. 6

Handicrafts made from wild woods sold in the markets of Yerevan. aPrunus armeniaca case for glasses. bFagus orientalis wooden box for tea. c Handicrafts of Prunus armeniaca—moneyboxes and jewellery boxes. dPrunus armeniaca, wooden handicraft. e Pomegranates from wood. fFagus orientalis wood backgammon. g Handicrafts of Prunus armeniaca. hPrunus divaricata wooden box for tea. i Wooden musical instruments (duduk, shvi). jFagus orientalis and Prunus divaricata wooden chess

Fig. 7

Selected dishes using wild plants and mushrooms from the markets of Yerevan. a, b, c Young stuffed leaves of grape Vitis vinifera with meat for dolma. dFalcaria vulgaris fried. eF. vulgaris fried with eggs. fMalva neglecta (soup with potatoes)—Pipertov apur. gPleurotus ostreatus with eggs. h fried Ornithogalum montanum (left) and fried Pleurotus ostreatus with eggs (right). iLepista personata with Triticum dicoccon (emmer)—Acharov plav

Fig. 8

Percentage of plants coming from different habitat zones