biologiur meurneobaTa asociacia `elkana~
saqarTvelos bunebis mkvlevarTa kavSiri `orqisi~
Biological Farming Association ELKANA
Georgian Society of Nature Explorers ORCHIS
tbndyf.kbwbyfUjt!jTwjbUj!
tbnlvsobmp!ndfobsffcjt!
lpotfswbdjb!eb!nehsbej!hbnpzfofcb
CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE
UTILIZATION OF RARE
MEDICINAL PLANTS
IN SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI
Tbilisi
2008
Tbilisi
saqarTvelos bunebis mkvlevarTa kavSirma "orqisma", elkanas programis - "saqarTvelos agrobiomravalferovnebis aRdgena, dacva da mdgradi gamoyeneba", farglebSi, romelic finansirdeba GE/UNDP-s mier,
ganaxorciela samcxe-javaxeTSi gavrcelebuli iSviaTi da gadaSenebis safrTxeSi myofi samkurnalo/dekoratiuli mniSvnelobis mcenareebis monitoringi. proeqtis monawileebi arian: maia axalkaci, marine
mosuliSvili, mariam qimeriZe da inesa maisaia. ganisazRvra saxeobis statusi mokle nusxaSi Sesuli
samizne saxeobebisaTvis da SemuSavda rekomendaciebi maTi dacvisa da mdgradi gamoyenebisaTvis. proeqtis
Sesrulebis dros ganxorcielebulma samuSaom saSualeba mogvca mogvexdina sakvlev regionSi amJamad
arsebuli bunebrivi pirobebis dokumenturi asaxva, sensitiurobasTan dakavSirebuli sakiTxebis dadgena
da inventarizaciis saTanado meTodologiis gamoyenebiT mcenareTa im saxeobebis gansazRvra, romlebic
aramdgradi gamoyenebis potenciuri safrTxis gamo, dacvas saWiroeben. IUCN-is kategoriebi gansazRvrulia
yvela 27 samizne saxeobisaTvis. Sambucus tigranii Troitzk. (Caprifoliaceae) ukve Setanilia IUCN-is wiTel
nusxaSi, rogorc mowyvladi (VU); 2 saxeoba Cvens mier ganixileba, rogorc safrTxeSi myofi (EN): Lilium
kesselringianum Miscz. (Liliaceae) da Scorzonera dzhawakhetica Sosn. ex Grossh. (Asteraceae); 5 saxeoba, rogorc
mowyvladi (VU): Colchicum speciosum Steven (Liliaceae); Galanthus alpinus Sosn. (Amarillidaceae); Helichrysum plintocalyx (K. Koch) Sosn. (Asteraceae); Orchis ceriophora L. (Orchidaceae); Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. Bip.
(Asteraceae); 2 _ rogorc safrTxesTan axlos myofi (NT): Helichrysum polyphyllum Ledeb. (Asteraceae) da Taxus
baccata L. (Taxaceae). Yyvela danarCeni gansazRvrulia, rogorc saWiroebs zrunvas" (LC) globaluri
masStabiT. Tumca, yvela 27 saxeoba samcxe-javaxeTSi iSviaTi da safrTxis qveS myofia. aqedan gamomdinare
bunebaSi maTi Segroveba miuRebelia. aucilebelia Seiqmnas ekonomikuri mniSvnelobis mcenareTa saxeobebis dacvis sakanonmdeblo baza. bunebaSi Segroveba mkacr kanonismier kontrols unda eqvemdebarebodes.
Ees mniSvnelovani informaciaa am populaciebis momavali monitoringisaTvis, raTa ganisazRvros saxeobebis gadarCenis Sansi da statusi momavalSi.
Georgian Society of Nature Explorers "Orchis" in the framework of ELKANA program "Recovery,
Conservation, and Sustainable Use of Georgia's Agricultural diversity" funded by GEF/UNDP carried out monitoring of rare and endangered medicinal/ornamental plants in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. Project participants are - Maia
Akhalkatsi, Marine Mosulishvili, Mariam Kimeridze and Inesa Maisaia. It was determined species status for short
listed target plants and was developed recommendations on their protection and sustainable utilization. The work
undertaken during the realization of the project allowed to document the current condition of the environment, to
evaluate the sensitive issues and enabled the evaluation of the potential impacts of unsustainable utilization of medicinal plants in the region using appropriate methodology for inventory of medicinal plant species, which need protection. IUCN categories are determined for all 27 target species. Sambucus tigranii Troitzk. (Caprifoliaceae) is already
included in the IUCN RDL as vulnerable (VU); 2 species are proposed to be endangered (EN) - Lilium kesselringianum Miscz. (Liliaceae) and Scorzonera dzhawakhetica Sosn. ex Grossh. (Asteraceae); 5 as vulnerable (VU) Colchicum speciosum Steven (Liliaceae); Galanthus alpinus Sosn. (Amaryllidaceae); Helichrisum plintocalyx (K.
Koch) Sosn. (Asteraceae); Orchis coriophora L. (Orchidaceae); Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. Bip.
(Asteraceae); 2 as nearly threatened (NT) - Helichrysum polyphyllum Ledeb. (Asteraceae) and Taxus baccata L.
(Taxaceae). All others are determined as least concerned (LC) in a global scale. However, all 27 species are rare and
threatened in this region. Therefore collection in the wild for this species is unacceptable. It is necessary to develop
legislation to protect effectively economically important plant species. Collection in the wild should be strictly controlled by legislation. This information will be valuable for future monitoring of these populations to determine
species survival chances and status in the future.
avtorebi: maia axalkaci, marine mosuliSvili,
mariam qimeriZe, inesa maisaia
redkolegia: mariam jorjaZe, Tamaz dundua, manana gigauri
teqnikuri redaqtori: mirian gvritiSvili
inglisuri Targmani: maia axalkaci
fotoebi: maia axalkaci
dizaini da dakabadoneba: manana gigauri
Authors: Maia Akhakatsi, Marine Mosulishvili, Mariam
Kimeridze, Inesa Maisaia
Editorial Board: Mariam Jorjadze, Tamaz Dundua, Manana Gigauri
Technical editor: Mirian Gvritishvili
English translation: Maia Akhalkatsi
Photos: Maia Akhalkatsi
Design and make-up: Manana Gigauri
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
I.
1.
2.
2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
2.4.
2.5.
3.
3.1.
3.1.1.
Executive Summary
Introduction
Environmental data
Area of field surveys
Geomorphology and geology
Climate
Hydrology and major water bodies
Soils
Flora and Vegetation
Main Biomes of Samtskhe-Javakheti
Mountain xerophyte shrublands and
arid vegetation
3.1.2.
Forests
3.1.2.1. Riparian forests
3.1.2.2. Oak and Hornbeam Forests
3.1.2.3 Beech-coniferous forests
3.1.2.4. Pine forests
3.1.3.
Mountain steppes
3.1.4.
Subalpine vegetation
3.1.5.
Alpine vegetation
3.1.6.
Subnival vegetation
3.1.7.
Rock - scree vegetation
3.1.8.
Wetlands
3.1.9.
Halophyte vegetation
3.2.
Rural vegetation
3.3
Pastures
4.
Endemic, rare and relict species
5.
Medicinal plants
5.1.
Medicinal Plants used in Folk
Medicine
5.2.
Medicinal Plants used in
Pharmaceutical Industry
5.3.
Rare and Endangered Medicinal Plants
5.3.1.
Short list of target species of medicinal
plants
6.
Threats to biodiversity
7.
Conservation of biodiversity
7.1.
Research Action
7.2.
Communication and Education
7.3.
Policy-Based Actions
7.4.
Habitat and Site-Based Actions
7.4.1.
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
7.4.2.
Expansion of Borjomi-Kharagauli
National Park
7.4.3.
Tetrobi Managed Reserve
7.4.4.
Other protected areas
7.5.
Species-Based Actions
8.
Methodology
8.1.
Nature of the IUCN categories and
criteria
8.1.1.
Taxonomic scale of categorization
8.1.2.
Geographical scale of categorization
8.1.3
Introduced taxa
8.1.4.
The IUCN categories
8.1.5.
The IUCN criteria
8.1.6.
Conservation priorities and actions
125
126
92
95
96
96
96
97
98
99
101
101
8.1.7.
8.2.
8.3.
101
102
102
103
103
103
103
104
104
104
104
104
107
108
108
109
111
9.
Regional Red Lists
Mapping
Methods of Inventory of Medicinal
Plants
Data collection
Data analyses
Creation on Geo-Information System
on Endangered Medicinal Plants in
Samtskhe-Javakheti Region
Mapping of Endangered Medicinal
Plants in Samtskhe-Javakheti Region
Inventory of Medicinal Plants
9.1.
9.2.
9.3.
9.4.
9.5.
9.6.
9.7.
9.8.
9.9.
9.10.
9.11.
9.12.
9.13.
9.14.
9.15.
9.16.
9.17.
9.18.
9.19.
9.20.
9.21.
9.22.
Althaea L. (Malvaceae)
Colchicum L. (Liliaceae)
Daphne L. (Thymelaeaceae)
Digitalis L. (Scrophulariaceae)
Gagea Salisb. (Liliaceae)
Galanthus L. (Amaryllidaceae)
Gentiana L. (Gentianaceae)
Ephedra L. (Ephedraceae)
Helichrysum Mill. (Asteraceae)
Lilium L. (Liliaceae)
Orchis L. (Orchidaceae)
Pulsatilla Hill (Ranunculaceae)
Rhododendron L. (Ericaceae)
Sambucus L. (Caprifoliaceae)
Scabiosa L. (Dipsacaceae)
Scorzonera L. (Asteraceae)
Senecio L. (Asteraceae)
Viola L. (Violaceae)
Allium L. (Liliaceae)
Artemisia L. (Asteraceae)
Crocus L. (Iridaceae)
Taxus L. (Taxaceae)
131
132
132
133
135
137
138
139
140
142
143
145
146
147
149
150
152
153
154
155
157
158
159
160
Species Status and Proposed IUCN
Categories
11.
Ex situ Conservation
11.1.
Seed Collection
11.2.
Living Collection
12.
Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
162
165
165
165
167
169
173
177
180
111
113
114
114
117
119
119
119
120
121
121
8.3.1.
8.3.2.
8.3.3.
8.3.4.
10.
127
127
130
130
121
121
122
122
123
123
123
123
123
124
125
125
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
91
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A) Interests and values
Main idea of the proposed project is to carry out
inventory of rare and endangered medicinal plant
species in Samtskhe-Javakheti region and develop recommendations and management principles of their
conservation and sustainable use. The research will
contribute in conservation of biodiversity and enrichment of knowledge on resources and current state of
the populations of rare and endangered medicinal plant
in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. New knowledge about
current status of populations and impacts threatening
medicinal plants are gained and recommendations on
sustainable utilization of resources from the wild are
developed. This will ensure conservation of biodiversity in Georgia. The idea that properly conserved and
wisely used biodiversity guarantees the effective functioning of ecosystems is disseminated. Local population has to realize that overuse of biodiversity will
cause severe impact on their livelihoods and they will
be the first to suffer when these resources are degraded
or lost. On the other hand, they have to understand that
the biodiversity will offer great potential for marketing
unique products, such as medicinal plants, many of
which are extremely valuable.
Effective solution of the problem of biodiversity
loss might be encouragement of smallholder farmers to
cultivate economically valuable plants on their ground
and supply the market. This will reduce uncontrolled
utilization of this extremely vulnerable species in the
wild and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.
B) Major problems
The primary causes of plant species endangerment are habitat destruction, commercial exploitation
(such as overgrazing, plant collecting in undisturbed
habitat, road and pipeline constructions, deforestation,
land degradation, urbanization, etc.), damaged caused
by non-native plants and animals introduced into an
area, and pollution. The elaboration of mitigation and
compensation measures is necessary to develop in situ
conservation needs of plant diversity.
The legislative basis to protect rare and endangered plants in Georgia is very poor. It must be taken
into account that many species, which need protection,
are not included in the Red Data Book of Georgia
(1982), and in the IUCN or CITES lists. Until now, no
quantitative evaluation has been used for determination
of threat levels of separate plant species. The only
work is on wild Georgian orchid species carried out by
GSNE "Orchis" in the framework of the 1st call of the
92
bp Programme “Ecology and Economy” in Harmony
2003, when IUCN categories and red data list responsibilities of the country are determined for 53 orchid
species of Georgia. Tentatively list of Threatened
Plants in Georgia is published (Red List of Endangered
Species of Georgia, 2003, 2006). However, not any of
these lists have yet been accepted by IUCN officially.
In 2006, it was started a project supported by IUCN on
development of Red Data Book of the Caucasus, which
is still not published. The data obtained in this study
should be delivered to IUCN for official recognition of
species status determined in current study.
C) Goals and outcomes
The proposed project had the following objectives:
1. Analyze current status of the environment in general and populations of short listed rare and endangered medicinal/ornamental plant species in particular. Evaluate resources and assess their populations in the field: a) distribution across the region,
b) density of the populations, c) vitality and fertility of the plants, d) threats, e) traditional use.
Develop data base of rare and endangered medicinal plant species in Samtskhe-Javakheti region,
which are threatened by anthropogenic stresses
and/or impacted by natural hazards in a global
scale. Compile complete list of medicinal plant
species used by local population for the region.
2. Gain knowledge on traditional use of medicinal
species by local population and determine use levels.
3. Undertake inventory of medicinal plants in the field
and preparation of data base and virtual maps for
determination of IUCN criteria and categories for
short listed medicinal/ornamental plants.
4. Development of recommendations to mitigate
influence of the stress factors and increase sustainability of the populations in the wild: establishment
of reserved areas, seed banks, life plant collections
and contribution in the improvement of the legislative basis.
5. Cooperate with the extension and business development specialists to assess possibilities of on-farm
production of the selected species and prepare
information on cultivation and propagation of
medicinal plants for farmers and processors.
6. Supply the local population with information on
distribution, biology, threats, economically important properties, on-farm production technology and
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
utilization of the selected species.
7. Prepare presentations and reviews on distribution
and sustainable utilization of the plants of the interest and report them on the conferences. Prepare
publications.
The proposed project has produced the following outcomes:
achievements, obtained data on target species population status, recommendations on increasing sustainability of the populations: in situ and ex situ
conservation measures; information on the economically important properties of the selected
species and technologies of their on-farm growing;
14. Presentation on project status report in "ELKANA"
office, 20.12.2006;
15. Presentation on expedition in Turkey at the
research seminar in Ilia Chavchavadze State
University, 03.05.2007.
1. Work-plans and field mission plans (85 day total
field trips);
2. Photo-documentation (ca 2000 photos);
3. Data base in MS Exel file (ca 250 occasions)
describing characteristics of habitat and populations studied in the field: GPS coordinates in UTMgrids, slope inclination, exposition, elevation,
canopy height, plant cover percentage, plant community type with indication of dominant and characteristic species, total size of population, total
number of individuals in the population, spatial
structure, sociability, vitality and fertility, threats
and disturbance level. See final report with detailed
description;
4. Project of virtual maps on distribution of target
species in shape format;
5. Hard copy of topographic maps (70 pages) on distribution of target species in Samtskhe-Javakheti;
6. Seed collection kept in seed bank of ELKANA;
7. Living collections in Tbilisi and Tsnisi;
8. Baseline report including results of the analyses of
literature data, data field verification and status of
the wild populations of the selected species - (M.
Akhalkatsi, M. Kimeridze, M. Mosulishvili, I.
Maisaia. 2005. Conservation and Sustainable
Utilization of the Endangered Medicinal Plants in
Samtskhe-Javakheti. Environmental Baseline.
Tbilisi);
9. Calendars 2006 and 2007 to supply the local population with information on distribution, biology,
threats, economically important properties and utilization of the medicinal plant species;
10. Article on industrially important medicinal plants
in the region (Akhalkatsi M., Kimeridze M.,
Maisaia I., Mosulishvili M. 2005. Flowless profits.
Cauc. Envir., 4(13):34-37);
11. Article on on-farm cultivation of Saffron (Crocus
sativus) - Akhalkatsi, M., Mosulishvili M.,
Kimeridze M., Maisaia, I. 2006. Saffron - a valuable medicinal plant. Biomeurne, 1(12):33-35;
(Georg.);
12. Article with ethnobotanical data on medicinal use
of wild and cultivated barley (Hordeum vulgare) Maisaia, I., Arabuli, G., Akhalkatsi, M.,
Mosulishvili, M. 2006. Use of barley in being and
folk medicine in mountain regions of Eastern and
Southern Georgia. Works Tbilisi Bot. Gard. 96:
118-120 (Georg.);
13. Final report with detailed description of project
The following results are obtained during the project realization:
1. IUCN categories are determined for all 27 target
species.
Sambucus
tigranii
Troitzk.
(Caprifoliaceae) is already included in the IUCN
RDL as vulnerable (VU); 2 species we proposed to
be endangered (EN) - Lilium kesselringianum
Miscz. (Liliaceae) and Scorzonera dzhawakhetica
Sosn. ex Grossh. (Asteraceae); 5 as vulnerable
(VU) - Colchicum speciosum Steven (Liliaceae);
Galanthus alpinus Sosn. (Amaryllidaceae);
Helichrysum plintocalyx (K. Koch) Sosn.
(Asteraceae); Orchis coriophora L. (Orchidaceae);
Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. Bip.
(Asteraceae); 2 as nearly threatened (NT) Helichrysum polyphyllum Ledeb. (Asteraceae) and
Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae). All others are determined as least concerned (LC) in a global scale.
However, all 27 species are rare and threatened in
this region. Therefore collection in the wild for this
species is unacceptable.
2. Local population was interviewed for traditional
use of medicinal plants in folk medicine both in
Georgia and Turkey, in Artvin province, where
local population are Georgians. The data show that
in Meskheti and partly in Javakheti people actively
are using herbal medicine and have valuable
indigenous knowledge on preparation of remedies.
However, in Turkey people are no more using herbs
as medicine and have only some information how
they were used in the past. Only shepherds and
foresters were collecting some plants. It is concluded that even if local population in SamtskheJavakheti is collecting plants for own use, it does
not threatens natural populations of species.
However, when plant is collected for pharmaceutical industry to produce drugs in a big amount, it
leads to extinction of populations in the region, as
it was a case with Vinca herbacea near v. Tsnisi.
3. Cultivation and propagation methodology is determined for every target species, which will help to
local farmers to cultivate medicinal plants in own
grounds. This is especially important for that
species, which are collected for industrial pharma-
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
93
D) Conclusions and Recommendations
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
ceutics or herbal market in big amount that they
were cultivated. Such species are - Colchicum speciosum Steven (Liliaceae); Galanthus alpinus
Sosn. (Amaryllidaceae); Senecio rhombifolius
(Adams) Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae); Taxus baccata L.
(Taxaceae); Althaea officinalis L. (Malvaceae);
Digitalis ferruginea L. (Scrophulariaceae);
Gentiana septemfida Pall. (Gentianaceae); Ephedra
procera Fisch. & C.A. Mey. (Ephedraceae);
Helichrysum graveolens (M. Bieb.) Sweet
(Asteraceae); Viola odorata L. (Violaceae).
Mapping of rare and endangered medicinal plant
species is undertaken. This information will be
valuable for future monitoring of these populations
to determine species survival chances and status in
the future.
Current state of flora and vegetation is described
for the region and photo archive of many rare,
endemic and endangered plants is created. This
information will give a good base for further botanical survey of the region.
Germplasm of target species in a form of seeds was
collected and kept in ELKANA. It will be good if
seeds will be collected again and send to different
germplasm collections.
Living collections were used for testing cultivation
and propagation methodology.
Field survey has revealed that anthropogenic
impact such as heavy grazing, wood cutting,
Different regions of exploration of medicinal
plants are the cases threatening plant species in
Samtskhe-Javakheti. It is necessary to develop legislation to protect effectively economically impor-
94
tant plant species. Collection in the wild should be
strictly controlled by legislation.
9. To ensure in situ conservation of plants it is necessary to establish new nature reserves. We support
idea to establish managed reserve in Tetrobi
Plateau where 6 species of the RDB Georgia occurs
- Asphodeline taurica, Hypericum thethrobicum,
Scorzonera dzhawakhetica, S. ketzkhowelii, S.
kozlowskyi and Anchonium elichrysifolium.
According to our data, Scorzonera dzhawakhetica,
which is represented by only two populations in
Meskheti and Javakheti, is growing in Tetrobi
Plateau.
10. Another nature reserve will be good to establish in
Erusheti and Shavsheti ranges. There are four lakes
on Mt. Erbo on shavsheti range including lake
Triala and this might be serve as wonderful recreation zone for tourists. In this area is growing single population of Lilium kesselringianum and many
other rare and endemic species - Colchicum speciosum, Senecio rhombifolius, Galanthus alpinus,
Dactylorhyza romana subsp. georgica, D. urvilleana, Orchis coriophora, O. mascula subsp. longicalcarata, Aquilegia caucasica etc.
11. Single population of IUCN species Sambucus
tigranii (VU) in Georgia is located in Aspindza district near Tmogvi fortress on road side and is
threatened to be damaged during upcoming road
construction works. It is possible that the entire
population will be cut if the road will be widened.
It is necessary to undertake rapid conservation
steps to ensure survival of this single population of
unique plant species.
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
INTRODUCTION
1. Introduction
The final report presents detailed description and main achievements of the project on exploration of medicinal plants by GSNE "Orchis" in the framework of the project "Conservation and
Sustainable Utilization of the Endangered Medicinal Plants in Samtskhe-Javakheti", which is part
of the ELKANA agrobiodiversity program funded by GEF/UNDP. The name of the project is
"Recovery , Conservation, and Sustainable Use of Georgia's Agricultural diversity" and its goal is
conservation and sustainable utilization of threatened local plant genetic resources important to
food and agriculture. The aim of this part of the project was to carry out monitoring and develop
recommendations on protection and sustainable utilization of rare and endangered medicinal/ornamental plants in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. The purpose of the final report is to document the
current condition of the environment, evaluate the sensitive issues and enable the evaluation of the
potential impacts of unsustainable utilization of medicinal plants in the region using appropriate
methodology for inventory of medicinal plant species, which need protection; to determine IUCN
categories for rare and endangered medicinal plants and to develop mitigation measures that
would minimize or eliminate the impacts.
The general objective of the proposed project is to improve the livelihood and health of rural
communities through the conservation, management, and sustainable use of medicinal and herbal
plants for human and livestock needs in specific areas while ensuring effective in-situ protection
of threatened species, habitats and ecosystems. An essential feature of this conservation initiative
is the benefit sharing with the local stakeholder communities, so that they also gain from the programme for conservation of medicinal plants. It is based on the understanding that rural communities are the key custodians and conservators of the medicinal plants and indigenous knowledge.
The project has also pioneered documentation, rapid assessment and revitalisation of local health
practices in rural communities. As a result of this initiative, number of home herbal gardens has
to be established by the local farmers. In situ and ex situ conservation measures are developed and
recommendations are prepared for official bodies responsible for nature conservation in Georgia.
Public education and training of local stakeholders are necessary for success of the project.
The environmental objective is to improve conservation and sustainable use of medicinal and
herbal plants of global importance at the national and the local levels for the selected areas through
achieving the following objectives:
1. Analyze current status of the environment in general and populations of short listed rare and
endangered medicinal/ornamental plant species in particular. Evaluate resources and assess
their populations in the field: a) distribution across the region, b) density of the populations, c)
vitality and fertility of the plants, d) threats, e) traditional use.
2. Inventory of medicinal plants in the field and preparation of data base and virtual maps for
determination of IUCN criteria and categories for short listed medicinal/ornamental plants.
3. Development of recommendations to mitigate influence of the stress factors and increase sustainability of the populations in the wild: establishment of reserved areas, seed banks, life plant
collections and improvement of legislative basis.
4. Cooperate with the extension and business development specialists to assess possibilities of
on-farm production of the selected species and prepare information on cultivation and propagation of medicinal plants for farmers and processors.
5. Supply the local population with information on distribution, biology, threats, economically
important properties, on-farm production technology and utilization of the selected species.
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
95
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
2. Environmental Data
2.1. Area of the field surveys
Samtskhe and Javakheti regions represent
provinces of Southwest Georgia (Neidze, 2003). It
adjoins to Turkey and Armenia in the south, Adjara
(Khulo district) and Guria (Chokhatauri district) in the
west-northwest, Imereti (Kharagauli and Bagdati districts) and Kartli (Borjomi district) in the north and
Kmevo Kartli (Tsalka and Dmanisi districts) in the
east. The territory of Samtskhe-Javakheti region is 5
200 km2 (Neidze, 2003), which represents 7,5 % of the
entire territory of Georgia - 69 700 km2.
Administratively Samtskhe is represented by
three districts - Akhaltsikhe, Adigeni and Aspindza
with a total square of 2 631 km2. Javakheti contains
two districts - Akhalkalaki and Ninotsminda with a
total territory of 2 590 km2 (Neidze, 2003). Currently
Borjomi district is included in Samtskhe-Javakheti
administrative region. Although, this territory belongs
historically to Kartli.
Geographically Samtskhe is represented by
Akhaltsikhe depression with average elevation 8001500 m a.s.l., mountain systems are Meskheti, Arsiani,
Erusheti, Kasri, Gumbati and Vani ranges and southwestern-western slopes of Trialeti range (Klopotovski,
1950, Nemanishvili, 1960, Maruashvili et al., 1971).
The highest peak is Kiumbet (2964 m a.s.l.). Main
rivers are Mtkvari, Potskhovi, Kvabliani, Uraveli,
Otskhe and Tsinubnistskali. Several lakes are in
Samtskhe - Lake Satakhve or Karageli (1940 m a.s.l.)
near v. Zarzma, Lake Tsunda (1340 m a.s.l.) near v.
Tsunda in Aspindza district, as well, artificial three Jaji
Lakes (2240 m a.s.l.) and Trialeti Lake near v. Lelovani
in Adigeni district.
Javakheti is located on volcanic plateau with average elevation of 1800 m a.s.l. Mountain systems are
Niala range in the south, Javakheti range in the east,
southern slopes of Trialeti range in the north, and
Abul-Samsari range in the middle. There is TetrobiChobareti range with the Tetrobi Plateau in the northwest and composed of limestone. Highest peaks are
Didi Abuli (3304 m a.s.l.), Samsari (3284 m a.s.l.),
Godorebi (3188 m a.s.l.), and Patara Abuli (2801 m
a.s.l.). There are 56 lakes on Javakheti Plateau. The
largest are Paravani (37,5 km2), Kartsakhi, Tabatskuri,
Khanchali, Madatafa, Saghamo, etc. Main river is
Paravani, with many minor tributaries such as
Abulistskali, Murjakhetistskali, Baraletistskali,
Chobaretistskali, etc.
Land use of the territory of Samtskhe-Javakheti
region shows following pattern: agricultural land
96
68,5%, forest 20,1%, shrubland 0,9%, water bodies 1,8%, urban territory - 5,0% and arable land - 3,7%
(Neidze, 2003).
2.2. Geomorphology and Geology
This section is based on an Engineering-Geology
literature review for the BTC pipeline (Oniani 2000,
see in: Kikodze, 2002). Geologically, the territory of
Georgia belongs to the Alpine System of Eurasia.
Georgia as a part of Caucasus is located between the
Euro-Asiatic and Afro-Arabian plates at the junction of
European and Asiatic branches of the Mediterranean
(Alpine-Himalayan) fold belt. Its geological structure
is built up mainly by Mesozoic and Cainozoic deposits
(Klopotovski, 1950). Early Precambrian and
Palaeozoic formations over a smaller area. Its geological and geomorphologic structure reveals a great genetic diversity, as a result of tectonic, volcanic, petrological, gravitational, erosional and other processes.
Structurally, the area can be divided into the following major landforms (Klopotovski, 1950):
1) The range of the Greater Caucasus (Kavkasioni);
2) The Georgian Intermountain Area (between the
Greater and the Minor Caucasus);
3) The Mountain System of the Minor Caucasus
(Meskheti-Trialeti Mountain Systems), including
the South Georgian Volcanic Upland.
The Javakheti Volcanic plateau forms the largest
geomorphologic zone and comprises steep peaks, a
volcanic plain and historic lava flows (Klopotovski,
1950, Maruashvili et al., 1971). The plateau is composed of Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary igneous rocks
including lavas and shallow intrusive rocks such as
andesite, basalt and dolerite. The plateau is comprised
of lava flows and by an undulating volcanic plain with
quaternary lake basins such as Paravani, Kartsakhi,
Sagamo, Khozafini, Khanchali, Madatafa etc. and their
associated unconsolidated deposits. Steeply undulating
high volcanic peaks are noted in the area of Trialeti and
Samsari ranges.
The Akhaltsikhe synclinal basin (see in: Kikodze,
2002) is composed of undulating hills and valleys and
forms the geomorphologic zone between the Trialeti
and Erusheti ranges. The hills are composed of Tertiary
sedimentary rocks dissected by river valleys and their
associated deposits. Adjara-Trialeti mountain system in
the north of Samtskhe is represented by a volcanogenic
suite with calcalkaline basaltic composition, which in
the lower part also contains the Albian Stage. The
Western Trialeti range represents a fold of the Minor
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Caucasus Mountains and comprises a deeply dissected
steep mountain terrain. The high peaks are composed
of Tertiary igneous rocks including pyroclastic deposits
(such as tuff conglomerate, tuff breccia, tuff sandstone
and tuff mudstone) and shallow intrusive rocks for
example andesite sheets. Tertiary sedimentary rocks
(such as limestone, sandstone and mudstone) and clays
are noted in the lower mountains at Tiseli and unconsolidated quaternary deposits are noted at the base of
the steep mountain valleys.
In the south of Samtskhe and Javakheti the ArtvinBolnisi Block and Lock-Karabach Zone transgressive
upper Cretaceous sediments are present, which are subdivided into three parts. A cenomanian volcanogeniccarbonate series (900-1200m) overlap directly the
Khrami and Locki massifs and Jurassic rocks. In
ascending section there is a basalt-andesite-dacite-rhyolite series (1100-3300m) of Turonian-Santonian age.
The uppermost part (Campanian-Maastrichtian) is represented by shallow-water limestones and marls with
interlayers of acidic tuffs (300-350 m).
Quaternary deposits are widespread in the region.
These recent deposits are generally unconsolidated but
may be locally cemented. They are represented by the
following depositional facies:
- Fluvial Deposits: These floodplain and floodplain
overlying deposits are noted in the gorges and valleys of the rivers such as the Mtkvari and
Potskhovi. The lithological composition of these
deposits includes boulders, pebbles, gravels, sands,
loams and clays.
- Floodplain Deposits: These deposits are characterised by stratified deposits of sands, gravels and
clays. Deluvial-proluvial sediments on the slopes
of the Ajara-Imereti range include slightly rounded
pebbles and gravel with some sandy clay. Other
types of alluvial sediments include of weakly
cemented conglomerates, cobbles, coarse gravel,
silts and sandy, silty clay.
- Flysch/Molasse Deposits: These deposits are
formed from the sediments produced by the uplift,
deformation and erosion of mountains. Such
deposits are represented by Palaeogene deposits
and include clays, gypsiferous clays, sand stones,
marls and limestones. These deposits are found in
the gorges and valleys of the Rivers Mtkvari and
Potskhovi and along the north of the Akhaltsikhe
basin.
- Intrusive formations are created when a body of
rock forces itself into existing rocks, either along a
definite structural feature such as bedding planes,
cleavage or joints or by deformation or cross cutting of the invaded rocks. Intrusive formations
include Tertiary gabbros and Palaeozoic granitoids.
Gabbro outcrops are noted in the volcanic plateau
region. Granite outcrops are located on the southern slopes of Trialeti range southern of Tsalka
depression.
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
-
Effusive or extrusive formations occur when
igneous rock has flowed at the surface of the Earth
and commonly include rocks formed by volcanic
eruptions such as ash and lavas. Effusive formations occur over a large part of Samtskhe-Javakheti
region and are represented by Tertiary &
Quaternary basalt, andesite, dolerite and dacite
deposits. The Javakheti volcanic plateau is composed mainly of lava flows whilst the rocks forming the Kashuri mountains and those near the
Turkish border also include Pyroclastic deposits
such as tuff, breccia, tuff breccia, tuff sandstones
and conglomerates interbedded with lava flows.
- Outcrops of Tertiary sedimentary rocks occur on
the undulating hills and valleys of the Akhaltsikhe
Basin and the deeply dissected valleys of the
Kashuri mountains. Outcrops of Palaeogenic sediments are located in the outcrops of Goderdzi Pass.
Similar sediments are found in the areas adjacent to
the Turkish border.
The geology of this region is reflected in the landforms described above. The lithological types are generally Tertiary volcanic and sedimentary deposits and
Quaternary fluvial or terrigenous deposits. This section
is based on an Engineering-Geology literature review
(Oniani 2000, see in: Kikodze, 2002).
2.3. Climate
Generally, Georgia is known for its favourable climate, with the Greater Caucasus Range serving as a
barrier to the cold air from the north, producing a high
thermal regime and a small number of extreme meteorological events. As a whole, the country can be divided into two distinctive climatic zones: humid subtropical in the west of the country, and dry subtropical in the
east, naturally separated by the Surami range. The climate in Eastern Georgia is largely a product of the
Surami Mountain Range, located in western Georgia,
and the dry plains of Azerbaijan to the east. The predominantly west-to-east transfer of air masses over the
region, along with orographic lifting of the air associated with the mountain ranges, produce a damp climate
in the western parts of Georgia, with almost uniform
precipitation throughout the year. Consequently, the
eastern side of the mountain ranges experience lower
relative humidity, resulting in a dry-subtropical climate.
The climate in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region is
determined as continental. However, more recent survey is defining it as subtropical (Oniani 2000, see in:
Kikodze, 2002) characterised by moderate precipitation, pronounced seasonal variations in climatic parameters, and a high level of solar radiation. According to
these data region comprises two sub-climatic zones,
mainly owing to the differing relief and orography.
They are described as follows:
97
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
-
The humid-subtropical mountainous climate with
cold winter (<-5°C) and cool summer (< 20°C),
located in the Trialeti and Samsari Mountain ranges
and Javakheti Plateau. The altitude, approximately
2,500 metres, largely explains the lower temperatures in this region. The high-mountain profile of
the area accounts for its near extreme climatic conditions. The estimated mean annual temperature for
the area is 9.5°C, with an estimated average of 1.4°C in January and 19.5°C in July. Generally, the
region experiences cold and occasionally snowy
winters and long, but mild summers. Precipitation
increases westward with proximity to the Trialeti
range.
- A humid subtropical mountainous climate with
cool winters and mild summers is characteristically
to the transient climatic zone located south-west of
the Adjara-Trialeti Mountain System and west of
Samsari Mountain ranges in Meskheti up to the
Turkey-Georgia border and Arsiani ranges. Mean
annual precipitation in the transitional climate
region is approximately 508 mm, and 654mm at the
Georgian-Turkish border. The majority of the precipitation falls between April and October, with
May and June being considered the months with
most rainfall (82mm/month and 88mm/month,
accordingly). The driest months of the year in these
parts are December (32mm/month) and January
(30mm/month). Precipitation data specific to the
mountains and mountainous steppes near the
Georgia-Turkey border are scarce. However, existing data and reports suggest that heavy and frequent rainfalls do not commonly occur in this
region. Data related to snow cover in the area are
poor, although the highlands can be covered with
snow for as long as 90 days per year. There is a
strong correlation between altitude and snow cover.
Typically, air temperature decreases with rising
altitude, leading to increasing amounts of snowfall
and duration of snow cover. Precipitation can usually be expected in the form of snow when ground
temperatures are below 1-2°C, although this relationship is complicated by other meteorological
influences, such as the atmospheric temperature
profile.
Wind speeds are reported with an estimated annual average of 5.4m/s, although still predominantly
northerly and north-westerly. However, speeds in
excess of 12 m/s can occur for up to 50% of the year,
with maximum wind speeds reaching as high as 30m/s.
The mean number of gale days (days in which wind
speeds are approximately 17-20m/s) for the Javakheti
region is relatively low, compared to the Meskheti, at
21 days per annum. The last climatic zone is affected
by both easterly and westerly winds, becoming increasingly strong in the high mountains (greater or equal to
15m/s). Available data suggests that average wind
speed recorded near the Metering and Pressure
98
Reduction Station (PRS) at the Georgia-Turkey border
is 6.7m/s. The maximum wind speed recorded in this
area over 20 years of observation was 57m/s.
The actual atmospheric pressure, differing to sea
level pressure owing to its elevated altitude is recorded
at 2,500m in the mountainous region of the Samsari
range. Assuming a winter temperature of -5°C in the
mountainous range of Samsari, air pressures of 750mb
could be expected, compared to 970mb in Tbilisi.
2.4. Hydrology and Main Water Bodies
The hydrographic system of the Samtskhe
includes the upper reaches of the River Mtkvari, from
the state border with Turkey to the beginning of
Borjomi gorge. Within this area, the Rivers Postkhovi
and Kvabliani (left tributaries) flow into the River
Mtkvari. Water-bearing horizon of recent alluvial sediments of river bed and floodplain has a wide distribution on the wide valley areas of the Mtkvari,
Tsinubnistskali, Otskhe, Potskhovi and Kvabliani.
Water-bearing complex of Upper Miocene-Lower
Pliocene (lower part of Kisatibi series) lava layers is
exposed over a large area, namely south of the village
Arali, between the villages Skhvlisi and Tskaltbila and
south of the village Varkhani. The lithology of the complex includes andesite, andesite-dacitic and dacitic tuff
and tuffaceous breccia lava layers. Majority of tectonic structures in Akhaltsikhe depression and its adjacent
areas are comprised of Middle Eocene volcanogenicsedimentary strata. These strata comprise the Tsnisi
and Akhaltsikhe anticlines complicated by the secondary disjunctive dislocations (see in: Kikodze, 2002).
The River Mtkvari starts at the springs on the
northern-eastern slopes of Kizil Giadik Mountain in
Turkey, at an altitude of 2,720m. The total length of the
river is 1,364 km, the area of the water catchment basin
is 188,000km2. The river length is 360km in Georgia
while the area of the catchment basin is 26,200km2.
The river is recharged by snow melt, rain and groundwater; contribution of glacial runoff is negligible.
Highest water levels are observed during spring when
discharge is at its greatest with approximately 53% of
the annual discharge occurring. Summer discharge
makes up 25% of the annual figure with low-flow conditions experienced in autumn and winter when seasonal discharges constitute just 12% and 10% respectively of annual discharge. The maximum recorded
flow rate of the River Mtkvari was observed in April
1968. The return period of this event ranges from 100
to 150 years, depending which observation station is
used for the estimation. The solid sediment load in the
River Mtkvari is closely related to the river's discharge
rate. Maximum average daily loads range from
470kg/sec to 32,000kg/sec at various observation stations. Water turbidity is also significant, with maxi-
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
mum levels recorded to fluctuate from 2,700g/m3 to
120,000g/m3 at various monitoring stations (see in:
Kikodze, 2002).
The River Potskhovi starts on the eastern slopes of
Arsiani ridge in Turkey, at an altitude of 2,720m a.s.l.
It flows into the River Mtkvari from the left bank at the
village of Kotlakhevi. The river is approximately 64km
long, the water catchment basin occupies 1,840km2.
There is a great diversity of soil types in Georgia.
The following soil provinces can be distinguished:
1) the soil province of Western Georgia;
2) the soil province of Eastern Georgia;
3) the soil province of Southern Georgia.
The main types of soil are allocated in accordance
with the altitudinal zones. In the Western Georgia soil
province (between the Black Sea and Surami Mts.) it is
possible to distinguish the bog and podzolic soil zone
in the lowlands, the krasnozem and zheltozem zone in
the hilly piedmonts, the zone of mountain-forest and
the mountain-meadow soils.
The soil province of Eastern Georgia comprises
the plains, piedmonts and mountain massifs, situated
eastwards from Likhi mountain range. Chestnut soils,
chernozems, brown humic-sulphates, saline soils of
steppes and semi-deserts, as well as intermediate forest-steppe and mountain-meadow soils occur in this
province.
The Southern Georgia soil province includes
Javakheti, Tsalka-Dmanisi and Erusheti uplands, the
hollow of Akhaltsikhe, etc. A considerable part of this
area is covered both with the mountain chernozems
(which are formed at altitudes from 1200-2200m) and
meadow chernozem-like soils. In highlands they are
replaced by mountain-meadow soils. Besides, the alluvial soils, redzinas, brown as well as the meadowbrown soils occur here, with the predominance of
brown forest type of soil in the mountain forest belt.
The types of soils (Oniani 2000, see in: Kikodze,
2002) present in the region are briefly described below:
- Brown soils: Brown soils are mostly found on the
southern slopes of the Trialeti Range and eastsouthern slopes of Meskheti range. Such soils are
formed in relatively mild and humid climatic conditions. Groundwater is located at a significant
depth below ground level and does not participate
in the soil formation process. Characteristic relief
forms are ridges and slopes with different aspect
and gradient, dissected by deeply cut river gorges
and ravines. Soil forming strata are: sandstones,
clays, shales, abyssal strata and scree. Deluvialproluvial and in some places skeletal non-carbonate sediments occur at the base of slopes. Typical
brown soils mainly occur in beech forests.
However, they can sometimes be found in hornbeam forests or hornbeam forests with oak. Dark
brown soils are developed in spruce forests while
skeletal brown soils are weakly developed in pine
forests. Strata are intensively weathered in the
brown soil zone and therefore, scree and overlying
topsoil are of heavy loamy mechanical composition. The profile of brown soils is well differentiated. Humus content varies between 3 and 10%. The
soils are characterised by an acid reaction, which
decreases with depth; approaching neutral with
depth. The brown soils are prone to washout (surface) erosion.
- Black and peat-rich mountainous-meadow soils
of southern mountainous region: These soils are
mostly found in sub-alpine and alpine zones at
higher elevations than the brown soils. Soil formation is very slow under the cold climatic conditions.
The soils are protected from surface erosion by the
extensive root system of herbaceous plants that
forms a strong turf. The root system also provides
ample organic matter for humus formation, which
results in these soils being rich. In some cases
organic matter accumulates in the form of peat.
These soils are characterised by well-developed
humus of granular structure, a mostly weak acid or
acid reaction and good physical properties. Since
the soils support a good vegetation cover with a
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
99
The river length in Georgia is approximately 35km
while the catchment basin is 1,331km2. The river is
recharged by snow melt, rain and groundwater. It is
characterised by spring floods and flash floods owing
to heavy summer-autumn precipitation rains and lowflow conditions in winter. Spring discharge is 55% of
the annual volume, summer discharge 25%, 13% in
autumn and 7% in winter. Long term average solid sediment load is estimated to be 10kg/sec. A maximum
solid sediment load of 230kg/sec was observed in May
1968 under flood conditions. Water turbidity typically
fluctuates from 670g/m3 to 9,800g/m3. Average duration of ice cover is 55 days whilst the maximum, 90
days, was observed in 1956- 1957.
The minor rivers, streams and gorges within the
region are typically mountainous rivers, some of which
are characterised by sudden flash floods of a catastrophic nature during rapid snow melt and are highly
responsive to heavy precipitation events.
Several lakes are in Samtskhe - Lake Satakhve or
Karageli (1940 m a.s.l.) near v. Zarzma, Lake Tsunda
(1340 m a.s.l.) near v. Tsunda in Aspindza district, artificial Jaji Lakes (2240 m a.s.l.) and Trialeti Lake near
v. Lelovani in Adigeni district.
There are 56 lakes on Javakheti Plateau. The
largest are Paravani (37,5 km2), Kartsakhi, Tabatskuri,
Khanchali, Madatafa, Saghamo, etc. Main river is
Paravani, with many minor tributaries such as
Abulistskali, Murjakhetistskali, Baraletistskali,
Chobaretistskali, etc.
2.5. Soils
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
-
-
good diversity of plants, they provide valuable
summer pastures and hay fields. Erosion processes
are ongoing in these soils, particularly when the
vegetation on these soils is grazed intensively.
Weathered carbonate black mountainous soils.
The relief in the zone of mountainous black soils
(Javakheti) is a volcanic plateau formed with layers
of the Neogene Quartenary period consisting of
andesite-basalt. The carbonate black soils occurring in this area have no silica content and are characterised by a dark grey upper horizon, with thickness varying from 30 to 50cm and good structure.
The lower horizon is relatively carbonaceous.
Typically, the soil thickness is 100 - 120cm. The
average humus content is 3 - 15% and decreases
with depth. Black soils are highly fertile.
Peat-rich and primitive mountainous-meadow
soils of Trialeti range. These soils occur in the
sub-alpine and alpine zone of Kodiana massif and
are formed under humid and relatively cold climatic conditions. An extensive system of herbaceous
plants forms a strong turf, which protects the soil
from surface erosion and provides ample organic
material for the formation of humus. As a result,
mountain-meadow soils are relatively rich in
100
-
humus and are prone to the formation of peat if
organic matter accumulates. Skeletal and primitive
varieties of this soil type are developed in debris
cones and alluvial fans. They are characterised by a
solid matrix, relatively low thickness, and differentiated profile.
Brown forest soil. This soil type occurs mainly in
the Akhaltsikhe depression, at altitudes of 900 1,200m, on slopes of different aspect and gradient,
alluvial fans and on sloping plains. Brown forest
soils mainly develop on weathered crusts of sandstones and deluvial-proluvial sediments. Vegetation
cover includes oak forests and oak forests with
hornbeam. Mean annual precipitation varies within
500 - 800mm in the zone of forest brown soils. The
water table is located at a significant depth below
ground level and does not participate in soil-formation processes. Leached brown soils are found at
the upper altitudes in the distribution zone for the
soil type. Carbonate-brown soils occupy the lower
zone where there are favourable conditions for calcium carbonate accumulation. The upper horizon is
characterised by granular structure. Humus content
varies from 3 to 5%. Brown soils are fertile.
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
FLORA AND VEGETATION
3. Flora and Vegetation
Samtskhe-Javakheti region is a distinct geomorphological formation. Its vegetation is characterised by
peculiarity and, to a certain degree, contrasts
(Sosnovski, 1933). It represents crossroads of geographical-genetic elements characteristic to the
Mediterranean, Iran-Turkish and northern hemispheric
ancient flora. This landscape-geobotanical zone comprises wetlands, unique lakes and marshes, various
modifications of mountainous steppes, mountainous
xerophyte shrublands, dry and mesophillous meadows
and relict remnants of forests once common in
Javakheti upland, etc. (Sosnovski, 1933, Ketskhoveli,
1959).
There are two relief forms in the upland of southern mountainous region - plateau formed by lava flows
and volcanogenic cones (peaks). Volcanogenic and
orogenic process coincided with the glaciation
(Pliocene-Pleistocene), which resulted in total destruction of the Tertiary vegetation (Sosnovski, 1933).
Recent flora was also developed as a result of complex
processes - glaciation was followed by xerothermal
periods, which determined formation of mesophylic,
xeromesophylic and xerophytic meadows. In parallel
wetland vegetation was developed. According to the
historical sources, forests used to occupy large areas on
Javakheti upland (Troizki, 1927). These were almost
entirely destroyed due to human activities and survive
only in minor fragments.
There are following vegetation zones in southern
mountainous region of Georgia (Dolukhanov, 1989;
Khintibidze, 1990):
1. Middle montane zone (800-1500 m a.s.l.) - largely
used as arable land. The natural vegetation survives
as riparian forests, oak-hornbeam forests, mountain
xerophytic shrublands, mountain steppes;
2. Upper montane zone with beach-coniferous mixed
forests (1200-2050 m a.s.l.);
3. Subalpine zone (1900-2400(2500) m a.s.l.) represented by treeline ecotone, tall herbaceous vegetation, shrublands and polydominant subalpine grass
and herb meadows. This zone is typologically
diverse;
4. Alpine zone (above 2500 - 2900 m a.s.l.) - alpine
meadows and snowbed communities are present.
Vegetation is mostly used for grazing and is of considerably lower quality than the subalpine vegetation, both by biomass volume and typological
diversity;
5. Subnival zone (2900-3300 m a.s.l.) is represented
only on Abul-Samsari range;
6. Azonal vegetation type is represented by fragments
of wetlands rich in boreal type flora, halophilic
desert vegetation and rocky areas. It should be
noted that xerophytic rock vegetation supports high
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
number of endemic species.
The region is divided into three floristic provinces
- Euxine, Armeno-Iranian and Caucasian (Grossheim,
Sosnovski, 1928; Takhtajian, 1986). Euxine province
enters in the extreme western part of this region on
Arsiani range and partly on Adjara-Imereti range.
Armeno-Iranian province comprises the southern part
of Meskheti and Javakheti Plateau characterized by
xerophytic vegetation and mountain steppes.
Caucasian province occupies the most part including
almost all mountain systems.
Two floristically distinct regions are distinguished
for Samtskhe-Javakheti by A. Doluchanov (1989) Adigeni-Borjomi region and Javakheti upland. The
first includes north-west slopes of Trialeti range, southern slopes of Meskheti range, Akhaltsikhe depression
and river Kvabliani gorge. R. Mtkvari above v.
Khashuri divides Adjara-Trialeti mountain system into
two ranges Trialeti and Meskheti. Elevation in this section ranges from 750-800 m a.s.l. to 2700 (2900) m
a.s.l. Most prominent part of Mtkvari valley represents
Akhaltsikhe depression. Elevation at the base of the
depression near town Akhaltsikhe is 950-1000 m a.s.l.
It increases considerably to the south to Turkish border.
The following biomes are distinguished in
Samtskhe: Riparian forests in floodplains (800-1150 m
a.s.l.), xerophytic shrublands and semi-deserts (8001200 m a.s.l.), Oak-Oriental Hornbeam and OakHornbeam forests (900-1200 m a.s.l.), Beech-coniferous forest (1100-2050 m a.s.l.), treeline ecotone (20502200 m a.s.l.), tall herbaceous vegetation and subalpine
meadows (2100-2500 m a.s.l.) in the subalpine zone;
azonal rock vegetation, and alpine meadows (25002900 m a.s.l.) and snowbed communities in the alpine
zone. The boundaries of biomes and vegetation zones
vary considerably depending on precipitation and slope
exposition.
Javakheti volcanic upland supports the following
biomes- pine forests, xerophytic shrublands, highmountain steppes of South Georgia, subalpine and
alpine meadows, rock vegetation and wetlands. Small
area of subnival vegetation above 2900 m a.s.l. is characteristic of high peaks of Abul-Samsari range
(Nakhutsrishvili, 1966).
3.1. Main Biomes of Samtskhe-Javakheti
3.1.1. Mountain xerophytic shrublands and arid
vegetation
Mountain xerophytic vegetation is widely distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti region from 900 up to
2200 m a.s.l. It mainly occurs in the R. Mtkvari gorge
101
FLORA AND VEGETATION
and other gorges of Meskheti. They are characteristics
of limestone Plateau Tetrobi in Javakheti. There are tragacanthic, phryganoid, shibliak and semi-desert communities (Khintibidze, 1990). Tragacanthic community
is represented by edificator species: Astracantha
microcephala, Acantholimon armenum, A. glumaceum,
and elements of shibliak: Paliurus spina-christi,
Rhamnus pallasii, Cotinus coggygria, Berberis vulgaris, Atraphaxis caucasica, Cotoneaster integerrimus, Crataegus orientalis, Amelanchier ovalis,
Lonicera iberica etc. (Ivanishvili, 1973; Khintibidze,
1990).
Middle montane and upper montane types of tragacanthic communities are distinguished (Khintibidze,
1990). The first with 199 species of vascular plants is
spread along the Mtkvari River (900-1300 m a.s.l,) and
in gorges of rivers Uraveli, Otskhe, Potskhovi,
Kvabliani and Tsinubnistskhali. Tragacanthic vegetation enters pine forest in vicinity of v. Damala. This
plant community contains rare species Astragalus
arguricus, A. raddeanus, Onobrychis sosnowskyi, Vicia
akhmaganica, Salvia compar, Scutellaria sosnowskyi,
Psephellus meskheticus etc. In some places tragacanths
enter oak forest. The following rare species occur in
this community: Dianthus calocephalus, Silene
brotherana, Erysimum caucasicum, Coronilla orientalis, Satureja spicigera, S. laxiflora, Teucrium polium, T.
nuchense, T. orientale, Sideritis comosa, Bupleurum
exaltatum, Convolvulus lineatus, Campanula
hohenackeri, etc.
Upper mountain type of tragacanthic community
with 157 species of vascular plants is present in Javakheti Plateau in the vicinity of v. Azavreti, Aragva, Kartsakhi and in R. Paravani gorge. As well in south-east
part of Meskheti near v. Niala, Busamreti, in the gorge
of Kazamretistskali and Mt. Ziareti. Edificatory species of this community is Astracantha microcephala.
Phryganoid communities support species Ephedra
procera and Tanacetum argyrophyllum and are spread
in eastern part of Akhaltsikhe depression. Peculiar population of Ephedra procera occurs in the vicinity of v.
Khertvisi. Other characteristic species of this community are: Cytisus caucasicus, Caragana grandiflora,
Dianthus calocephalus, Hedysarum turkewiczii,
Onobrychis meskhetica, Teucrium polium, Thymus sosnowskyi, Stachys atherocalyx, S. iberica, Festuca valesiaca, Campanula hohenackeri, C. raddeana, C.
alliariifolia, Artemisia sosnowskyi, Stipa capillata, S.
pulcherrima, Koeleria cristata, Elytrigia elongatiformis, E. trychophora, E. caespitosa, Agropyron
repens var. subulatus, Valerianella plagiostephana.
Semi-desert plant communities are present in R.
Mtkvari gorge near v. Rustavi and v. Aspindza.
Outstanding species in this community is RDB species
Nitraria schoberi with other 39 species of the community Reaumuria kuznetzovii, Astragalus cyri, A.
kozlowskyi, Caccinia rauwolfii var. meskhetica,
Ceratocarpus arenarius, Ceratoides papposa,
102
Gamanthus pilosus, Kochia prostrata, Camphorosma
monspeliaca, Limonium meyeri, Picnomon acarna,
Sterigmostemum
torulosum,
S.
tomentosum,
Tragopogon meskheticus, Stizolophus coronopifolius,
Callicephalus nitens, Crepis pannonica etc. (Bobrov,
1946; Kikodze, 1967; Khintibidze, 1990). Many
species of the genus Artemisia are characteristic for
this type of vegetation.
Shibliak is widespread in middle montane zone
mixed with tragacantic vegetation. Dominant species
are Cotinus coggygria, Atraphaxis caucasica,
Rhamnus pallasii, Cytisus caucasicus, Paliurus spinachristi, etc.
Yellow
blue-stem
grass
(Bothriochloa
ischaemum) community presents mainly secondary
vegetation developed in disturbed areas replacing natural vegetation. Associated species are Veronica orientalis, Galium verum, Achillea micrantha, A. millefolium, Cleistogenes bulgarica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca
valesiaca, Koeleria macrantha, Poa pratensis etc.
3.1.2. Forests
3.1.2.1. Riparian forests
The habitat along the rivers Mtkvari, Potskhovi,
Kvabliani, Tsinubnistskali and Otskhe is characterised
by a primary riparian forest and partly by relict tugay
forest (Kikodze, 2002), which is extensively fragmented and does not constitute a continuous habitat. It is
significantly degraded and is not particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities given the existing level
of disturbance. In addition large areas of forest have
been cleared to make room for orchard or agricultural
crops. Dominant species in riparian forest is Alnus barbata associated with Populus hybrida, P. nigra,
Crataegus monogyna, C. pentagyna, Cornus mas,
Prunus spinosa, Ligustrum vulgare, Lonicera caprifolium, etc. (Gvritishvili, Kimeridze, 2001).
In the vicinity of Tkemlana and Tiseli villages
there is developed riparian forest with Hippopha¸
rhamnoides. From other tree and shrub species there
are: Acer campeste, Berberis vulgaris, Cornus mas,
Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Pyrus caucasica, Rosa canina, Viburnum opulus.
There is the sensitive habitat of high conservative
value populated by the RDB plant, sea-buckthorn,
Hippopha¸ rhamnoides on the east slope of foothill
close to irrigation canal west of Vale in association
with rare species, Ceratoides papposa as well as
Berberis vulgaris, Rhamnus spathulifolia, R. cathartica, Crataegus caucasica, Cotoneaster meyeri, Pyrus
salicifolia, Rosa canina, Ligustrum vulgare,
Glycyrrhiza glabra, etc. (Gvritishvili, Kimeridze,
2001).
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
FLORA AND VEGETATION
3.1.2.2. Oak and Hornbeam Forests
Oak forests, dominated by Georgian oak, Quercus
iberica occupy western and northern slopes of middle
montane zone (Dolukhanov, 1989; Khintibidze, 1990).
It occurs in slopes of Meskheti range, in R. Uraveli and
R. Kvabliani gorges. Oak in some areas is mixed with
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus, in other mainly occurs
with Oriental Hornbeam Carpinus orientalis. The other
characteristic species are: Acer platanoides, Cornus
mas, Corylus avellana, Crataegus pentagyna, C.
monogyna, Malus orientalis, Pinus kochiana, Pyrus
caucasica, Swida australis, Ulmus glabra, etc.
Outstanding peculiarity of oak forests in Samtskhe is
the fact that in upper boundary of this type of forests
hornbeam is substituted by European Hop hornbeam Ostrya carpinifolia, such forest occupies considerable
territory in R. Uraveli and R. Kvabliani gorges. The
components of shibliak, such as Paliurus spina-christi,
Rhamnus pallasii, Spiraea hypericifolia etc., are
admixed on lower boundary of the oak forest, as a
result of degradation of this natural stand. Lonicera
iberica is rarely found in the oak forest.
community. The following herbaceous species are
associated with Pinus kochiana: Arenaria steveniana,
Cerastium sosnowskyi, Minuartia woronowii, Silene
dianthoides, Sempervivum sosnowskyi, Astragalus
arguricus, A. campylosema, Medicago dzhawakhetica,
Helianthemum nummularium, H. orientale, Daphne
transcaucasica, Acantholimon glumaceum, Heracleum
antasiaticum, Galium grusinum, Centaurea bella,
Crepis pinnatifida, Muscari sosnowskyi etc.
This
community is very rich in endemic species occurring
mainly on calcareous rocks of Tetrobi Plateau. Peculiar
species are Asphodeline taurica and parasitic
Diphelypaea coccinea.
3.1.3. Mountain steppes
Pine forests (Pinus kochiana) are usually developed on southern slopes of Meskheti, Adjara-Imereti
and Trialeti ranges (Khintibidze, 1990). Pine forest has
more limited distribution than spruce forests.
Although, pine frequently occurs in spruce forests on
the northern slopes (Khintibidze, 1990). Pine forests on
Erusheti and Tetrobi-Chobareti ranges (1800-2000 m
a.s.l.) have little distinguished composition. This pine
was before determined as separate endemic species P.
kochiana, while more widely distributed one was
called P. sosnowskyi. Now these two species are unified. However, Tetrobi pine forest by composition is
considered as outstanding refugee, where pine is mixed
with the elements of mountain steppes (Troitski, 1927).
Total 48 vascular plant species are distinguished in this
Mountain steppes are peculiar to South Georgia.
They cover Javakheti volcanic Plateau. Steppe vegetation is represented by different plant communities.
Most characteristic species of polydominant grass-forb
steppes are: Festuca ovina, F. sulcata, Stipa tirsa, S.
pulcherrima, Bothriochloa ischaemum, Filipendula
vulgaris, Falcaria vulgaris, Cruciata laevipes,
Koeleria cristata, Medicago hemicycla, Phleum
phleoides, Polygala anatolica, Thymus caucasicus, etc.
Besides, there are secondary meadows developed
mainly on sites once occupied by primary forests. Like
previous communities these meadows are composed
by the variants of polydominant grass-forb vegetation
with participation of Agrostis planifolia, Alchemilla
erythropoda, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis
variegata, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Centaurea
salicifolia, Dactylis glomerata, Lotus caucasicus,
Trifolium ambiguum, T. canescens, etc. From monodominant meadows can be mentioned communities
with such dominant species as Nardus stricta (dzigviani in Georgian), Anemone fasciculata (frintiani),
Agrostis planifolia (namikrefiani), Brachypodium sylvaticum
(berseliani),
Bromopsis
variegata
(shvrieliani), etc. (Kvachakidze, 1996).
Natural herbaceous vegetation of Javakheti
Plateau has been transformed and is represented by
various modifications of secondary steppefied meadows and mountainous polydominant steppes.
Steppefied meadows are comprised of Carex humilis,
Festuca valesiaca, F. ovina, Filipendula vulgaris,
Polygala anatolica, Stipa tirsa, etc. Secondary postforest meadows are dominated by Agrostis planifolia,
Alchemilla erythropoda, Bromopsis variegata,
Calamagrostis arundinacea, Dactylis glomerata,
Geranium sylvaticum, Lotus caucasicus, Ranunculus
caucasicus, Trifolium canescens, etc. The southern
slopes are occupied by polydominant steppes mainly
formed by grasses Festuca ovina, F. valesiaca, Stipa
pulcherrima, Stipa tirsa, Koeleria macrantha, Phleum
phleoides. Forbs are represented by Filipendula vulgaris, Cruciata laevipes, Medicago hemicycla, Thymus
rariflorus, etc.
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
103
3.1.2.3. Beech-coniferous forests
Beach forests (Fagus orientalis) with the elements of Kolkhic flora are well developed in the west
of Meskheti in upper areas of R. Kvabliani gorge on
Arsiani range and on the eastern slopes of Meskheti
range. It forms subalpine krummholz in Goderzi Pass
reaching elevation 2100 m a.s.l. (Khintibidze, 1990).
Small population is found on Oshora range above v.
Damala (Mukbaniani, 1976). Western and north-western regions of Meskheti are characterized by dark
coniferous forests (Dolukhanov, 1989) in upper montane zone representing by Picea orientalis and Abies
nordmanniana mixed with beech. Almost virgin dark
coniferous forest occurs in Abastumani along the road
to the observatory.
3.1.2.4. Pine forests
FLORA AND VEGETATION
3.1.4. Subalpine vegetation
3.1.6. Subnival vegetation
Subalpine zone is represented by krummholz,
subalpine shrublands, tall herbaceous vegetation and
polydominant subalpine meadows. Subalpine
krummholz is represented by Betula litwinowii and B.
pendula, Acer trautvetteri, Sorbus caucasigena, Salix
caprea etc. Shrubland is composed by Caucasian
Rhododendron - Rhododendron caucasicum,
Vaccinium myrtillus, Empetrum caucasicum etc.
Subalpine birch and maple forests are found on
the northern slopes while pine forests are developed on
the southern slopes at the altitudes of 1800-1900 m
a.s.l.
Javakheti upland used to be cover ed by forests,
which were entirely destroyed due to high anthropogenic pressure in XVIII-XIX cc (Troizki, 1927).
Only minor fragments of the subalpine forests survive
mostly on northern slopes of the high-mountainous
areas. These fragments are formed by species typical
for the Caucasian subalpine forests, namely: Litvinov's
birch (Betula litwinowii), mountain ash (Sorbus caucasigena), goat willow (Salix caprea), Bieberstein's
rock currant (Ribes biebersteinii), alpine currant (Ribes
alpinum), in some areas - European aspen (Populus
tremula), etc. Litvinov's birch and mountain ash form
communities over small areas in the rocky relief.
Tall herbaceous vegetation is composed of 3-4 m
high herbs, mainly dicots (Nakhutsrishvili, 1999).
Typical species forming subalpine tall herbaceous vegeation are as follows: Anemone fasciculata, Geranium
ibericum, G. platypetalum, G. psilostemon, G.
ruprechtii, Scabiosa caucasica, Senecio rhombifolius,
Stachys macrantha, Campunala latifolia, Cephalaria
gigantea, Doronicum macrophyllum, Aconitum nasutum, Gadellia lactiflora, Delphinium flexuosum,
Heracleum wilhelmsii, Grossheimia macrocephala,
Lilium szovitsianum, etc.
Subalpine grass and grass forb meadows are
found in the subalpine forest complexes. Grass meadows are formed by Festuca ovina, F. woronowii,
Bromopsis variegata, Calamagrostis arundinacea.
These species form coenoses both independently and
in co-dominance. The subalpine meadows occur above
the subalpine forest zone, at the altitudes of 2100-2200
m a.s.l.
3.1.5. Alpine vegetation
The vegetation of the alpine zone is comprised of
Festuca valesiaca, F. ovina, F. woronowii, Alchemilla
erythropoda, A. caucasica, Sibbaldia semiglabra,
Cirsium arvense, sedge - Carex tristis, mat nardusgrass
- Nardus stricta, and various grasses. Snowbed communities support Carex meinshauseniana, Festuca
supina, F. woronowii, Minuartia circassica, Corydalis
alpestris, Senecio taraxacifolius, Matricaria caucasica
etc.
104
It is well represented on Mt. Didi Abuli (3304 m.
a.s.l.). Besides subnival vegetation, among graves and
morens here are alpine snowbed communities dominated by Carex meinshauseniana, Festuca supina, F.
woronowii etc. (Nakhutsrishvili, 1966; Khintibidze,
1990). Among subnival plant communities should be
mentioned fragments of Astragalus vavilovii and
Erysimum krynitzkyi associations. Total number of
species in the subnival zone of Samsari range is 62
(Khintibidze, 1990). Among them are 3 local
endemics, 14 endemics of the Caucasus, and others
with wider area of distribution in Minor Caucasus and
in Asia Minor.
3.1.7. Rock - scree vegetation
Rock-scree vegetation in Samtskhe-Javakheti
reveals properties of xerophytic vegetation. It is spread
in Akhaltsikhe depression (900-1500 m a.s.l.) and in
Tetrobi Plateau (1800-2000 m a.s.l.).Total 80 species
present in this biome. Among them are: Erysimum
szowitzianum, Campanula crispa, Veronica livanensis,
Centaurea bella, Minuartia micrantha, Jurinea
carthaliniana, Matricaria rupestris etc.
3.1.8. Wetlands
Wetland vegetation is of highest significance on
Javakheti volcanic upland. In general, peat bog vegetation is found in all climatic zones including tropics,
deserts and the arctic zone. It is regarded as intrazonal
or azonal vegetation type due to wide range of occurrence. Wetlands of lacustrine origin are found in the
mountainous region of the Caucasus. According to K.
Kimeridze (1966), wetlands of Tsalka basin and adjacent areas have been mostly formed as a result of tussock swamping of lakes. This swamping type is
extremely rare on the main ridge of the Caucasus. It
characterizes lakes with dramatic seasonal changes in
water level. Tussock sedge (Cariceta) formation communities are found on silty or coarse-peat wet substrata, which are frequently waterlogged. The surface
water level changes considerably by seasons and years.
Peat formation process is fairly intensive in most
tussock sedge formations. This process is characterized
by certain peculiarities in wetlands located in Javakheti
volcanic upland, namely - at the early stages of wetland
formation of this type organic mass is mostly accumulated at the roots of evenly distributed main coenotype
(sedge - Carex), gradually forming tussocks. Tussock
height is dependent on the duration of swamping and
maximum waterlogging level of the surface. Having
reached this level, tussock height does not increase and
organogenic material is mainly accumulated between
the tussocks. Tussock sedge communities are charac-
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
FLORA AND VEGETATION
terized by mosaic structure due to formation of
microrelief. The above demonstrates the uniqueness of
the natural properties idiosyncratic to the eutrophic and
oligotrophic wetlands developed on Javakheti volcanic
upland. Javakheti wetlands are unique ecosystems,
therefore, particular attention should be attached to this
vegetation type.
Tussock sedge wetlands occur from the sea level
up to the subalpine zone (2000-2200 m a.s.l.). Several
types of tussock sedge wetlands are located in this area.
Wetland fragment located in the vicinity of Mt.
Tavkvetili is fairly large. This tufted sedge wetland is
dominated by Carex acuta and C. disticha. The associated species are as follows: Carex vesicaria,
Alopecurus arundinaceus, Ranunculus lingua, Poa
palustris, etc. Mt. Tavkvetili, Narianis Veli and adjacent areas are characterized by plant communities of
scientific interest. A tufted sedge wetland fragment is
developed on peat relief at the bottom of Mt.
Tavkvetili. The wetland is mainly fed by atmospheric
precipitation. Therefore, it frequently dries out.
Relatively dry areas are characterized by mesophilous
meadow elements. The dominant species is Carex vesicaria. Associated species are as follows:
Calamagrostis neglecta, Scilla rosenii, Comarum
palustre, Carex huetiana, Polygonum carneum,
Eleocharis meridionalis, Carex medwedewii, Luzula
spicata, Carum carvi, Ranunculus caucasicus, Rumex
acetosa, etc. Mosses Calliergonella cuspidata,
Drepanocladus aduncus and Climacium dendroides
form synusium.
Peat moss (Sphagnum palustre) is developed
among Rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasicum)
shrubs on Tavkvetili plateau. Mosses Drepanocladus
exannulatus and D. fluitans form synusium. Associated
species are as follows: Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium
vitis-idaea, Eleocharis meridionalis, Cardamine uliginosa, Comarum palustre, Anthoxanthum alpinum, etc.
Narianis Veli comprises a flat-bottomed catchment
basin of the Ktsia upper reaches. Its vegetation is
entirely comprised of the wetland vegetation with various communities dominated by hydrophilous plant
species.
According to literature sources (Zedelmaier,
1929, 1933; Kimeridze, 1975), one of the widely distributed wetland plant community on the volcanic
upland of the southern Caucasus is that of Carex acuta.
The most widely distributed association are pure tufted
sedge communities (Caricetum acutae purum). As a
rule, it is developed on lacustrine sediments and
coarse-peat deposits, waterlogged almost throughout
the year. Fairly frequently aquatic plant synusium is
developed in pure tufted sedge communities, forming a
distinct layer composed of Potamogeton gramineus,
Utricularia vulgaris, Lemna minor, etc. The herbaceous cover on tufts (tussocks) is mostly formed by
main coenotype (Carex acuta). Two types of herbaceous sedge wetlands - Caricetum acutae comariosum
palustrae and Caricetum acutae equisetosum
eleocharidis - are rare associations. The former is usually found at the maturity stage of swamping. In this
case tufted microrelief is slightly developed, the surface is not waterlogged or waterlogging depth is minor,
which facilitates development of moss synusium comprised of Climacium dendroides, Drepanocladus vernicosus and Meesia trifaria. The herbaceous cover
includes two layers with Carex acuta being a dominant
species in the upper layer while Comarum palustre is
dominant in the lower. The latter is associated with
Carex diandra, C. limosa, etc. The peculiarity of this
association is absence of mosaic structure characteristic to the tufted sedge communities. This type of sedge
communities are extremely rare. They are found in the
vicinity of Mt. Tavkvetili.
The second association is developed on swampy
south-west shores of lake Tabatskuri and is characterized by mosaic structure. Apart from the dominant and
subdominant species, the following are present: Carex
disticha, C. vesicaria, Ranunculus lingua, Alisma plantago-aquatica, etc.
Among the tufted sedge communities of the
mountainous region of Georgia Cariceta wiluicae is of
high scientific interest. Information on distribution and
ecocoenotypic peculiarities of Carex wiluica in
Georgia was collected and published by K. Kimeridze
(1975). According to the author, Carex wiluica occurs
only on Javakheti upland, mainly - the upper reaches of
the Ktsia, Narianis Veli and adjacent areas, north-west
swampy shores of lake Tabatskuri. The upper distribution limit is 2500 m a.s.l. It normally occurs at the altitudes of 2000-2100 m. The species is of fragmentary
distribution in the wetlands. According to the same
author, there are only three associations of this formation on Javakheti upland:
Pure tufted sedge community (Caricetum wiluicae
purum) has the widest distribution of the three associations. The largest areas are occupied at Narianis Veli
and higher altitudes. This association is mostly developed on coarse-peat substrata within extinct bogs. Tuft
height is more or less low and rarely waterlogged.
Therefore, aquatic plant synusium is never developed,
which distinguishes this association from other types
of tufted sedge communities. In addition to dominantedificators, the following herbaceous species are present: Calamagrostis neglecta, Ligularia sibirica,
Deschampsia caespitosa, Poa palustris, Agrostis
gigantea, Geranium palustre, Aconitum nasutum.
Sedges - Carex vesicaria and Carex rostrata occur in
waterlogged places. Other herbaceous species present
are as follows: Comarum palustre, Galium palustre,
Carex cinerea, Epilobium palustre, etc. Mosses are
developed on tuft edges - Aulacomnium palustre,
Drepanocladus aduncus, Hypnum lindbergii. This
association transforms into a meadow over a time as
tufts are subject to digression.
In summary, the tufted sedge community type
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
105
FLORA AND VEGETATION
formed by an extremely rare species - Carex wiluica
substantially differs from other types of tufted sedge
wetlands, first of all, by floristic composition. Tufted
moss sedge community (Caricetum wiluicae hypnosum) is the second association of the Cariceta wiluicae
community. It occurs at Narianis Veli, left bank of the
Ktsia and former lake located between Bebera and
Tavkvetili. The moss synusium is formed by
Drepanocladus sendtneri, D. aduncus, Caliergonella
cuspidata and Hypnum lindbergii. In addition, the following species are present: Aulacomnium palustre,
Climacium dendroides, Cratoneurum decipins, etc.
Coenoses dominated by Carex lasiocarpa comprise a rare type of tufted sedge wetlands. Pure tufted
sedge wetlands - Carex lasiocarpae pura are found in
Narianis Veli and wetlands in the vicinity of Mt.
Tavkvetili. The main coenotype - Carex lasiocarpa is
an obligate heliophyte, which occurs on peat substrata
both in eutrophic and meso-oligotrophic wetlands. This
association mainly develops in former lakes, on the
waterlogged peat substrata. Some aquatic plants could
also be present, such as Utricularia vulgaris and
Potamogeton gramineus. The constant species of the
association are as follows: Carex rostrata, C. vesicaria,
C. acuta, Comarum palustre, Menianthes trifoliata,
Equisetum palustre, etc.
Another sedge species - Carex vesicaria is widely
distributed in the high-mountainous wetlands
described above. Its distribution range extends from
lowlands to the upper montane zone, however,
coenoses dominated by this species are known only for
few locations. Such coeneses occur in the lacustrine
wetlands of the southern mountainous region of
Georgia. Sedge communities dominated by Carex vesicaria have a fragmentary distribution in lakes and wetlands of Ktsia-Tabatskuri. They mainly occur in
eutrophic and mesotrophic wetland complexes. This
species occurs up to 2000 m a.s.l. and mostly participates in thermophilous vegetation communities. It is
extremely rare in wetlands with cold waterlogged soils.
The only association of this species - Caricetum vesicariae purum is frequent for this area. Carex vesicaria
is an absolute dominant in the sedge communities of
this type where the following species could also be
present in small numbers: Equisetum palustre,
Eleocharis palustris, Sparganium emersum, S. minimum, Carex rostrata, Comarum palustre, Menyanthes
trifoliata, Alisma plantago-aquatica. The following
aquatic species are frequent: Urticularia vulgaris,
Callitriche palustris, Polygonum amphibium,
Potamogeton natans. As a rule, Caricetum vesicariae
purum develops in waterlogged areas, at the initial
stages of swamping. Carex vesicaria also participates
in the sedge community types described above; however, it is always of secondary importance.
Lake Paravani is the largest among the natural
reservoirs of Javakheti volcanic upland; its banks are
not almost boggy and therefore, it is less interesting
106
from botanical point of view. The river Paravani flows
out from Lake Paravani and falls into Lake Sagamo.
This lake is not almost boggy as well. Here is developed pure tufted (tussock) sedge community, which is
spread on the shores of Lake Paravani as well. Wetland
vegetation is represented near Lake Sagamo on the
place of former Lake Didi Avchala. Wetland vegetation
of this area is homogeneous. Most of the area is occupied with pure tufted sedge community, in which Carex
acuta dominates. It grows in complex with Caricetum
vesicariae purum on smaller sites and with pure communities composed by Eleocharis, Caricetum acutae
purum and Sparganietum emersumae purum on the
banks. Utricularia vulgaris, Potamogeton gramineus,
Elatine alsinastrum and others, are mixed in different
amounts into communities mentioned above,
Ranunculus flammula, Beckmannia eruciformis etc.
are mixed in coenoses on the shores. Such kind of
homogeneous swamp on large area is very rare in
mountainous regions of Georgia.
South to the above-described wetlands is situated
quite a big lake, Madatapa with flat bed, which is at the
die-off stage. It is completely covered with aquatic
vegetation, among which Potamogeton natans, P.
gramineus or P. lucens are dominants. Polygonum
amphibium is spread on lesser area. Utricularia vulgaris, Lemna trisulca, Myriophyllum spicatum and
some plants of wetland vegetation are mixed with them
in a quite large amount. The northwest and southeast
banks of Lake Chaobiani are boggier than other banks,
where Caricetum vesicariae purum, Caricetum acutae
purum or communities of order Aquiherbosa are dominated on boggy banks. overgrowth of Eleocharis spp.
and Sagittaria sagittifolia are also developed on the
banks. Above-mentioned aquatic vegetation is represented in all types of wetland associations. In the northern part of lake-wetland on large areas are developed
wet meadows represented with Deschampsia caespitosa and Festuca spp. Perhaps, in the future on the area
of former Lake Madatapa will be formed the largest
wetland in Javakheti.
Lakes Bugdasheni and Mrgvali, which are partly
boggy, are not large; only southern part of Bugdasheni
is boggy, where pure tufted (tussock) sedge dominates.
Caricetum rostratae purum is spread on quite large area
and Caricetum vesicariae purum on lesser area. This
wetland area is characterized with abundance of tall
herbaceous vegetation and is very poor floristically. On
wet meadows are grown with Deschampsia caespitosa,
Agrostis and Alopecurus are adjacent to this wetland.
Communities of pure tufted sedge and Eleocharis sp.
are represented on northern boggy bank of Lake
Mrgvali.
The largest area of wetland vegetation occupies
the banks of Lake Khanchali, which is situated in the
southern part of Javakheti. Southern and north-eastern
banks of the lake are mostly boggy. In deep water areas
are spread analogous aquatic vegetation as those in
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
FLORA AND VEGETATION
Madatapa, and in areas with less water groups of
Sagittaria sagittifolia are developed in narrow stripe.
It is mainly adjacent to community of horsetail among
which dominates Equisetum palustre. Some aquatic
plants are also mixed with components of wetland vegetation, and on some sites abundant of Ranunculus lingua are observed.
Usually, there is topoecological connection
between Scolochloetum festucaceae and horse-tail
communities. Transitive associations are often formed
in their contact zone. Sometimes, zone grown with
Equisetum is omitted and community of
Scolochloetum festucaceae purum is adjacent to aquatic vegetation directly. In that case, aquatic plants are
often mixed to it and quite often community of
Scolochloetum aquiherbosum is formed. Complex of
sedge communities, where major components are
Cariceta vesicariae and Cariceta acutae, is adjacent to
the associations mentioned above. The topoecological
order also makes clear successional development of the
described wetland area. On rude peat and silt substrata
Caricetum diandrae purum and Caricetum rostratae
calliergonellosum are in complex with the above-mentioned sedge communities. Sinusium of moss, in the
latter, is formed by Calliergonella cuspidata, Hypnum
lindbergii, Aulacomnium palustre etc. It seems that
these associations are formed at the last stage of bogging and at the next stage, communities of
Deschampsia caespitosa, Festuca spp. and polydominant cereal meadows will substitute them.
Among the large lakes of Javakheti, Lake
Kartsakhi (Khozapini) should be mentioned. In the
boundaries of Georgia its banks are not boggy for their
verticality. But in its vicinity there is a former lake
called the Kartsakhi wetland, most part of which is
covered with pure tufted sedge and horsetail communities. In some sites of contact zones, sedge -horsetail
communities are formed, where Carex acuta and
Equisetum palustre dominate. Such coenoses are
mosaic. In the community, height of vegetation is
approximately 80 cm above water level, and coverage
reaches 90%. Carex disticha and Carex vesicaria are
mixed into them in quite big amount and Ranunculus
lingua, Potamogeton gramineus and others are in less
amount. Small amount of Typha latifolia is mixed in
pure horsetail communities in some areas and there are
also fragments with horsetail and Typha communities.
Communities of aquatic plants and horsetails are
spread on larger sites of rude peat surfaces with excess
of water. On the banks of the wetland area, in the
neighbourhood of village Kartsakhi, on silt substrate,
Hippuriteum vulgaris purum is spread. It occupies
quite large areas in some places. Described wetland
site is poor floristically. In addition to the above-mentioned plants, Calamagrosis neglecta and Comarum
palustre are found in this area, which are usually developed on sedge tussocks.
The Javakheti plateau is the richest region of
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
Georgia with lakes and wetlands. By the size of wetland areas it is the second region after the Kolkheti
lowland. Although, rare, endemic and relic species
(except Carex wiluica, which is considered as rare
species for Caucasus and is known only from Javakheti
and Bakuriani, Kartli) are not represented in the wetlands of Javakheti plateau, wetland vegetation of the
area significantly differs from those of other regions of
Georgia. Most of wetlands are young and formed on
places of former lakes.
3.1.9. Halophyte vegetation
Original type of halophyte communities, which is
spread on 500-1500 m a. s. l., is rare in Georgia montane zone. Special attention should be paid to it
because it is developed mainly in the forest ecosystem,
where on the corresponding ecotope montane zone
xerophyte shrublands is represented fragmentally.
Halophyte complexes occur in Meskheti in the upper
part of the river Mtkvari. Halophilic communities are
developed on badlands, on various slopes of nearly all
exposition, on the exhausted cortex of easy soluble,
salty, gypseous basic rocks and on salty clay soil. Such
places are characterized by physical and physiologic
dryness and dry microclimate. According to the common position of ecotope vegetation is fluctuated within wide limits, which depends on gypseous composition and salting degree in the substrata. By the structure
of vegetation and species composition it is similar to
desert vegetation; it is characterized by poor flora,
inlay and complexity. The vegetation of upper parts of
badland slopes and rocks is actually undeveloped. It is
caused by the intensive rain and wind erosion. Some
typical desert and semi-desert plants, such as
Reaumuria alternifolia, and Camphorosma monspeliaca grow scatter on such ecotopes. Open unconnected
phytocoenose Reaumurioso-salsoleto-camphorosmetum are created by these semi-bushes.
The common coverage of phytomass in such phytocoenose is not more than 5-10%. Podospermum idae
is mixed diffusely in it; on the comparatively calm surfaces sinusia of ephemeric nature are developed like
spotted fragments that are created in some places by
dwarf grasses - Eremopyrum orientale or Trachynia
distachya but in some places by succulent biomorpha
Gamanthus pilosus or Bupleurum exaltatum. The last
species and dwarf grasses often fade in the second half
of summer and the track of their existence in phytocoenoses is not really seen. The spotted sinusia of the
named plants are represented mainly by monodominant microcoenoses. Most of the above-mentioned
species are quite constant; from the less constant
species we can name Zygophyllum fabago etc. It must
be said that the vitality of this species in the mentioned
phytocoenoses is mostly fallen. It can be explained by
the extreme severeness of the edaphic conditions.
The halophilic vegetation coverage is about 50-
107
FLORA AND VEGETATION
60% on proluvial-deluvial deposits of the lower parts
of slopes. In such places we often meet Puccinelliosoatriplexeto- nitrarietum community. Its flora is comparatively rich, heterogenic and complex. Except typical
halophytes some of such species takes part in phytocoenose, the ecophytocoenotic area of which is connected with other types of vegetation. From the constant species of the mentioned phytocoenose we can
name Nitraria schoberi, Atriplex tatarica, Puccinellia
distans, Kochia prostrata, Sosnowskya amblyolepis,
Amberboa moschata, Ceratoides papposa etc. From
non-constant species, one can named Astragalus
argillosus, Callicephalus nitens, a very rare species
growing on the surface of dry ravine- Rhamnus
spathulifolia etc. The last species is considered to be of
hybrid origin and undoubtedly, more attention should
be paid to it. Such phytocoenoses are connected mostly with slopes of northern and western exposition.
They are comparatively better provided with moisture
because of their close position to the surface of salty
soil water. Such type of phytocoenoses is characterized
by comparatively complex sinusial and morphologic
structure.
The mentioned type of edaphogenic desert and
semi-desert flora is represented by comparatively narrower endemics and widespread species with disjuncted areas, which have a great importance in research of
geographic connections and study of Georgian flora
and vegetation formation history.
3.2. Rural vegetation
Rural vegetation is one of the most interesting in
terms of medicinal plants. Many invasive, roadside and
adventive cosmopolitan plant species are used in traditional and scientific medicine world-wide. Among
them are Cichorium intybus, Melilotus officinalis,
Achillea millefolium, Agrimonia eupatoria, Agropyron
repens, Bryonia dioica, Capsella bursa-pastoris,
Chelidonium majus, Cuscuta europaea, Hyoscyamus
niger, Lamium album, Malva sylvestris, Mentha arvensis, Plantago major, Stellaria media, Taraxacum officinale, Tussilago farfara, Urtica dioica etc. These plants
are distributed throughout in urban and rural areas,
along roadsides and in disturbed habitats. Many of
them are pioneer plants forming primary successions in
108
eroded slopes resulted by construction works and other
industrial activities.
3.3. Pastures
Subalpine and alpine meadows are mainly used as
summer pastures for sheep and cattle in Javakheti and
to the some extend in Meskheti (Magakian, 1933;
Nakhutsrishvili, 1966). Grass, sedge and polydominant
grass-forb meadows are characteristic of this type of
vegetation. Grass-forb and legume dominated meadow
communities are characterized by high diversity, containing more than 30 species in one community. There
are several types of grass meadows where dominant
species might be Festuca ovina, Bromopsis variegata,
Poa alpina, Koeleria caucasica, Nardus stricta or
Festuca varia. Associated species in these plant communities are Ranunculus oreophilus, Bromopsis villosula, Trifolium ambiguum, T. trichocephalum, T.
alpestre, Stachys macranthera, Anemone albana,
Gentiana caucasica, Aster alpinus, Phleum alpinus,
Veronica gentianoides etc. Dominated species in sedge
meadows are Carex humilis or Carex brevicollis.
Associated species are: Koeleria caucasica, Inula
glandulosa, Myosotis alpestris, Carex tristis, Poa
alpina, Phleum alpinum, Pedicularis caucasica, Draba
nemorosa, Scabiosa caucasica, Cerastium purpurescens etc. Dominant species in legume meadows is
Trifolium ambiguum associated with Carex humilis,
Bromopsis villosula, Poa alpina, Arenaria steveniana,
Achillea sericea, Colpodium versicolor, Bromopsis
variegata, Centaurea cheiranthifolia, Gentiana
septemfida etc. Polydominant grass-forb meadows are
composed by Sibbaldia procumbens, Alopecurus vaginatus, Bromopsis variegata, Phleum alpinum,
Trifolium ambiguum, Festuca ovina, Galium verum,
Stachys macrantha etc. Polydominant alpine meadows
contain Festuca ovina, Potentilla alpestris, Gentiana
septemfida, Carum caucasicum, Trifolium repens,
Aster alpinus, Luzula spicata, Campanula collina,
Potentilla gelida etc. Veratrum lobelianum is indicator
of pasture degradation and represents weed almost on
the entire territory of pastures. It is poisenous plant not
to be grazed by domestic animals. Therefore it is widespread in subalpine and alpine meadows.
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
ENDEMIC, RARE AND RELICT SPECIES
4. Endemic, rare and relict species
Caucasus is characterized by high endemism and
is considered to be one of the 25 hot spots of biodiversity worldwide. Flora of Georgia is very rich in endemic and unique plant species many of which are threatened and endangered. Samtskhe-Javakheti region has a
wealth of biodiversity. The Javakheti Plateau and different mountain systems of the Minor Caucasus have
been the centers of evolution for many unique life
forms and are a natural museum for rich genetic
resources, much of which has been lost due to loss of
forest coverage and over-exploitation of certain species
of plants for trade and local use. Resources overuse is
usually associated with the loss of biodiversity. A number of threats emanate from the over exploitation of
natural resources for fuel, fodder, manure, grazing and
collecting of ornamental and medicinal plants.
Taxonomic survey of the flora of SamtskheJavakheti is very scarce. Most detailed study is done of
wetlands (Zedelmeier, 1929, 1933; Kimeridze, 1966,
1975) and xerophytes (Khintibidze, 1990). overall
evaluation is done on forest species (Dolukhanov,
1989). However, there is almost no complete study of
the flora of Samtskhe-Javakheti giving overall statistic
of the species status, number, composition and distribution in the region. Number of species has been determined only for mountain xerophyte shrubland biome
(Khintibidze, 1990) as to be 284 species of vascular
plants. They belong to 45 families and 156 genera.
Leading position according to the number of species
has following plant families: Asteraceae (48), Fabaceae
(39), Lamiaceae (24), Apiaceae (24), Caryophyllaceae
(22), Poaceae (18), Liliaceae (13), Boraginaceae (8),
Rosaceae (7). The following genera contained highest
number of species- Astragalus (24), Alyssum (7),
Allium (7), Dianthus (6), Artemisia (5). Such statistical
analysis is not known for other biomes.
Samtskhe-Javakheti region is rich in endemic,
rare and relict species. There are different definitions of
endemics depending on size of geographic area of distribution. Following definitions are developed for the
endemics of xerophyte shrubland ecosystems of South
Georgia (Khintibidze, 1990) - local endemics microarealophytes (e.g. endemics of Tetrobi Plateau),
endemics of Meskheti, Meskheti-Kartli, MeskhetiArtvin, Meskheti-Javakheti, Javakheti, Minor
Caucasus, Georgia, Caucasus, Asia Minor and Asia
Anterior. List of Georgian and Caucasian endemic
plant species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti region
is given in Appendix 1.
Local endemics of Tetrobi Plateau are: Hypericum
thethrobicum, Scorzonera ketzkhowelii and S.
kozlowskyi. High conservation value on Tetrobi Plateau
has oldest Mediterrenean community with Asphodeline
taurica and Stipa pulcherrima, which is characteristic
as well for Crimea (Maleev, 1940). 6 species of them
are growing on Tetrobi Plateau - Asphodeline taurica,
Hypericum thethrobicum, Scorzonera dzhawakhetica,
S. ketzkhowelii, S. kozlowskyi and Anchonium
elichrysifolium.
Endemics of Meskheti: Astragalus argillosus, A.
aspindzicus, A. kozlowskyi, A. leonidae, A. meskheticus, A. raddeanus, A. vardziae, Campanulla raddeana,
Cerastium sosnowskyi, Dianthus azkurensis,
Onobrychis meschetica, Podospermum idae, Salvia
compar, Tragopogon meskhetikus, etc.
Endemics of Meskheti and Kartli: Cerastium
argenteum, Erysimum caucasicum, Genista transcaucasica, Helianthemum georgicum, Nepeta iberica,
Psephellus carthalinicus, Reaumuria kuznetzovii,
Scrophularia diffusa, Sempervivum sosnowskyi,
Ziziphora borzhomica.
Endemics of Meskheti and Artvin: Astragalus
trychocalyx,
Cirsium
adjaricum,
Coronilla
charadzeae, Elytrigia sinuata, Hedysarum turkewiczii,
Jurinea carthaliniana, Minuartia micrantha,
Onobrychis sosnowskyi, Psephellus meskheticus,
Thymus coriifolius (=T. sosnowskyi Grossh.).
Endemics of Meskheti and Javakheti: Scorzonera
dzhawakhetica.
Endemics of Javakheti: Hypericum thethrobicum
(=H. hyssopifolium Chaix), Scorzonera ketzkhowelii,
S. kozlowskyi.
Endemics of the Minor Caucasus: Anthyllis irenae, Astragalus goktschaicus, A. massalskyi,
Bupleurum sosnowskyi, Centaurea gulissaschvilii, C.
transcaucasica, Cephalaria armeniaca, Cirsium caucasicum, Euphorbia armena, Gladiolus dzavakheticus,
Gypsophila stevenii, Linaria schirvanica, Minuartia
akinfievii, Pimpinella aromatica, Psephellus dealbatus, Pyrus georgica, Tragopogon serotinus, Vicia
akhmaganica, etc.
Endemics of the Caucasus: Allium kunthianum,
Bromopsis biebersteinii, Cytisus caucasicus, Gagea
alexeenkoana, G. chanae, Hedysarum sericeum,
Sempervivum pumilum, Senecio massagetovii, etc.
It should be noted that the oldest desert and semidesert relicts, such as Nitraria schoberi and Reaumuria
kuznetzovii are present in this area.
Subalpine and alpine zones support numerous
endemics including the following endemic species of
Georgia - Alchemilla adelodictya, A. aurata, A. bakurianica, A. erectilis, A. grandidens, A. hypotricha, A.
indurata, A. microdictya, A. pascualis, A. pycnotricha,
Cerastium sosnowskyi, Delphinium tamarae,
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
109
ENDEMIC, RARE AND RELICT SPECIES
Euphrasia grossheimii, E. sosnowskyi, Onobrychis
kemulariae, Pulsatilla georgica, etc.
The endemics of Caucasus growing here are also
numerous - Aconitum nasutum, Androsace raddeana,
Aquilegia caucasica, Arenaria steveniana, Cephalaria
gigantea, Chaerophyllum humile, Dianthus subulosus,
Papaver oreophilum, Potentilla caucasica, Primula
cordifolia, P. ruprechtii, Pulsatilla violacea, Scilla
rosenii, Stellaria anagalloides, Symphytum caucasicum, Teucruim nuchense, Vicia grossheimii, etc.
The rock-scree vegetation is especially rich in
endemic species: Astragalus raddeanus, Campanula
raddeana, Dianthus azkurensis, Salvia compar,
Scrophularia diffusa, Sempervivum sosnowskyi,
Senecio massagetovii, etc.
Relict species - Campanula crispa, Centaurea
bella, Erysimum szowitzianum, Jurinea carthaliniana,
Veronica livanensis, etc. occur on rocks between
Atskuri and Borjomi along R. Mtkvari.
Wetland biome in Samtskhe-Javakheti region supports only one locally distributed species Carex wiluica
(=C. juncella (Fries) Th. Fries) occuring only in the
upper reaches of r. Ktsia. This species forms original
coenoses in the wetland vegetation of Narianis Veli,
vicinity of Tabatskuri Lake and adjacent mountains.
Rare coenoses of Urticularia minor and Menyanthes
trifoliata are found in this area. The southern shore of
Tabatskuri Lake supports locally distributed endemic
species Gladiolus dzavakheticus and Onobrychis
meschetica. In the vicinity of this lake was found rare
species Lilium kesselringianum, which we have
described in Meskheti, Shavsheti range, Mt. Erbo.
There are some endemic species of the Caucasus in the
vicinity of the Tabatskuri lake - Androsace raddeana,
Corydalis alexeenkoana, Nepeta grossheimii, Orobus
ciliatidentatus, Polygala mariamae, Pulsatilla violacea, Vicia grossheimii.
Meskheti depression also supports endemic and
relict species of arboreal plants, such as Georgian pear
- Pyrus georgica, Spindle tree - Euonymus leiophloea,
European Hop Hornbeam - Ostrya carpinifolia,
Caucasian Mountain Ash - Sorbus caucasigena, which
require special protection measures.
The areas located between village Tsnisi and
Georgia-Turkey border (altitudes range from 900 to
1400 m a.s.l.) are characterised by high endemism.
Akhaltsikhe (Meskheti) depression supports fossilized
Tertiary flora (referred to as "Goderdzi Flora") on the
eastern slope of Goderdzi pass, r. Dzindze gorge.
Tropical Tertiary forest comprised of palms, magnolias, etc., was buried in volcanic ash.
The following 19 species distributed in SamtskheJavakheti region are included in the Red Data Book of
Georgia (1982) and in the Red List of Endangered
Species of Georgia (2003): Anchonium elichrysifolium,
Asphodeline taurica, Astragalus cyri, Campanula
110
crispa, Corydalis erdelii, Dianthus ketzkhowelii,
Gladiolus dzavakheticus, Hippopha. rhamnoides,
Hypericum thethrobicum, Juglans regia, Ostrya
carpinifolia, Papaver bracteautum, Quercus macranthera, Scorzonera dzhawakhetica, S. ketzkhowelii, S.
kozlowskyi, Senecio massagetovii, S. rhombifolius,
Tragopogon meskheticus.
44 species of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region are
included in the list of rare species of Georgia
(Ketskhoveli, 1977): Acer trautvetteri, Amelanchier
rotundifolia, Astragalus argillosus, A. leonidae, A.
meskheticus, A. trichocalyx, Atropa caucasica,
Bupleurum sosnowskyi, Centaurea adjarica,
Cerastium sosnowskyi, Ceratoides papposa, Crataegus
caucasica, C. orientalis, Dactylorhiza euxina, D. unvilleana, Digitalis ferruginea, Elaeagnus angustifolia,
Ephedra procera, Fritillaria latifolia, Grossheimia
macrocephala, Gymnadenia conopsea, Heracleum wilhelmsii, Jurinea carthaliniana, Lonicera iberica,
Menyanthes trifoliata, Neottia nidus-avis, Onobrychis
meskhetica, Orchis coriophora, Paeonia steveniana,
Psephellus meskheticus, Pulsatilla georgica, P. violacea, Pyrus caucasica, P. salicifolia, Rosa spinosissima, Scabiosa columbaria, Sobolewskia clavata,
Sorbus caucasigena, Stipa stenophylla, Tilia begoniifolia, Tragopogon marginatus, Valeriana alliariifolia, V.
officinalis.
The incomplete list of economically valuable
plants occurred in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region is
shown in Appendix 2. These are mainly wild species,
which besides crops also have considerable economic
importance providing food, fuel, timber, forage (fodder), hay, etc., and habitats for animal life.
Economically valuable plants also include large
amount of taxons used in folk and scientific medicine.
Only two species from the IUCN Red List (2004)
are present in Samtskhe-Javakheti region: Galanthus
alpinus and Sambucus tigranii. The first is used as
medicinal plant. The second is very rare, found only
occasionally in Aspindza district.
Several plant species are included in the CITES
list of Georgia (Bitsadze, Rukhadze, 2001): Galanthus
alpinus (=G. caucasicus), Cyclamen coum subsp. caucasicum, Taxus baccata, Anacamptis pyramidali,s
Cephalanthera damasonium, C. longifolia, C. rubra,
Coeloglossum
viride,
Corallorhiza
trifida,
Dactylorhiza amblyoloba, D. armeniaca, D. euxina, D.
romana subsp. georgica, D. urvilleana, Epipactis
helleborine, E. persica, E. microphylla, Goodyera
repens, Gymnadenia conopsea, Neottia nidus avis,
Orchis coriophora, O. mascula subsp. longicalcarata,
O. militaris subsp. stevenii, O. morio subsp. caucasica, O. pallens, O. palustris subsp. pseudolaxiflora, O.
ustulata, Platanthera bifolia, P. montana,
Traunsteinera sphaerica.
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
MEDICINAL PLANTS
5. Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants occur in all plant communities. The
total number of plant species used both in scientific and
traditional medicine is about 400 (Shotadze, 1944;
Grossheim, 1946; Shengelia, 1952; Aneli et al., 1969;
Ketskhoveli, 1969; Kikava et al., 1997; Chirgadze, 2001;
Kvachakidze, 2003; see Appendix 3). The local population uses different plant species for medicinal purposes.
Most of them are herbs, rarely woody plants, fungi and
algae are in use. Most plants are harvested in the nature
what threatens plant populations. This fact leads to strong
decline in diversity by loss of medicinal plant species.
We conducted a survey to determine plant species
used by local population in Samtskhe-Javakheti. The local
population was interviewed during field trips in
Samtskhe-Javakheti in 2005-2006. The overall impression
was that people have indigenous knowledge on medicinal
plant properties and are using them actively. When compare Meskheti and Javakheti with other countries abroad,
where medicinal plant collection and use is a task of a
woman in the community, here we have little different situation. Even if woman in Meskheti have ground knowledge on use of medicinal plants and how to prepare the
remedy, collection of these plants is task of a man in the
family. It might be explained by the Fact that most medicinal plants are distributed in high elevations in mountains
and they are hard accessible. Men in villages are shepherds and peasants who has hay meadows high in mountains and are very good knower of plants. They can recognize many medicinal plant species in nature and sometimes serve as collectors to pharmaceutical firms dealing
with collection of medicinal plants in the wild. The treatment and preparation of remedies, however, is a task of a
woman in the family.
There are two types of persons dealing with the
herbal medicine. One, who has just traditional knowledge
from ancestors and knows how to prepare medicine and
when to use it. Another type of persons are educated persons, who has ground knowledge on herbal medicine, has
books on medicinal plants and often they serve as homeopaths in villages. Almost in all villages are persons, who
are healing patients using herbal medicine. Such "public
doctors" are very respected persons in villages and people
trust them.
We contacted both type of persons in different villages. The homeopaths not always are open and do not tell
all secrets how to prepare remedy. However, some of
them told on plants they are using and disease to which
these plants are applied.
It was of interest, that in many families, people had
at home small bunches of dry medicinal plants. And,
almost in all families we have seen the same plants, which
were usually kept for winter as medicinal plants. These
are - St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum); Yellow
Daisy (Helichrysum graveolens); Hyssop (Hyssopus
angustifolius); Gentian (Gentiana septemfida); Caucasian
Gentian (Gentianella caucasea); Oregano (Origanum vulgare); Common Yarrow (Achillea milllefolium) and
Common Plantain (Plantago major). The use was based
on traditional knowledge, which these persons know from
their ancestors.
The persons who had more fundamental knowledge
on medicinal plants are having the information from
medicinal books. Many of them had such books and could
identify plants using drawnings and illustrations. We
recorded several interview with these persons:
1. Anaida Bagdasarian, Akhaltsikhe - she is collecting
Juniper berries, Dog Rose fruits and uses for purifying
of kidneys. Oil of flax seeds is much better to use antiseptically, when petals of St. John's Wort are added.
Greater Celandine and Chicory are used for stomach
problems. Flowers of Wild Lentil (Astracantha microcephala) are used for lever disease.
2. Liana Baginashvili, Tsnisi, Akhaltsikhe distr. - She is
botanist, was working in Tbilisi at the Institute of
Plant Protection and has ground knowledge on plants
and their medicinal properties. She is collecting
almost all above mentioned medicinal plants, which
are common in all families. But, additionally, she is
preparing tincture from Absinthe (Artemisia absinthium) and uses for improvement of immune system and
is effective against cancer. According to her information there was a population of Periwinkle (Vinca
herbacea; Apocynaceae) near Tsnisi. However, whole
plants were collected by one pharmaceutic firm from
Tbilisi and now it is not possible to find any individual more. A good example how uncontrolled collection might lead to extinction of populations in the
wild.
3. Nino and Makvala Tsamalaidze, v. Niala, Aspindza
distr. - this village is located near border with Turkey
in high-mountain area. In winter villagers are almost
isolated from center. Therefore, they are collecting a
lot of medicinal plants and are using in winter tea of
different plants. They had collected Knotweed
(Polygonum alpinum) and using to retrieve salts.
4. Nikoloz Kublashvili, v. Imertubani, Adigeni distr. This person has cultivated Common Valerian in house
garden. The seeds he received from Germany and is
cultivated it upon request of one drug-store in Kutaisi.
The plants are of very good quality and he has good
business. He is collecting as well Verbascum spp.,
which is effective against hemorrhoid. Buckthorn
(Rhamnus catharticus) fruits are used against constipation.
5. Medea and Guram Mamulashvili, v. Abastumani,
Adigeni distr. - they had Mallow (Althaea officinalis
L.) in house garden and were using it in treating
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5.1. Medicinal Plants used in Folk Medicine
MEDICINAL PLANTS
inflammations and irritations. They were collecting
Primerose (Primula macrocalyx) for bronchitis;
Cerinthe minor (Boraginaceae) as laxative; Gentian
(Gentiana septemfida) for treatment of uterine
fibroids.
6. Isaak Papidze, v. Sakuneti, Akhaltsikhe distr. - he is
professional homeopath and is dealing with herbal
medicine. He had a notebook with a lot of recipes how
to prepare the remadies of different plants. Most of
them are written from different medicinal books and
represent not big interest.
7. Sona Nadiradze, v. Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr. - she told
the roots of Great Burdock (Arctium lappa) should be
collected in September and use for treatment of stomach problems. Amaranthus sp. and Nettle are plants
she is collecting as green herbs for eating. Gentian is
collecting in high mountains where this village has
Yaila.
8. Natela Chitashvili, Yaila Vale, Akhlatsikhe distr. she leaves in summer above in mountains and is collecting plants for winter. She had the same plants as
neighbours - St. John's Wort, Yellow Daisy, Hyssop
and Gentian.
9. Nino Gozalishvili, Yaila Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr. - she
has the same plants as others and additionally
Caucasian Gentian for treatment of hemorrhoid.
10. Firuz Iadze, v. Greli, Akhaltsikhe distr. - he have
shown us Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) and told
that fruits are good as edible. About medicinal plants
he had very general information. He had at home collected Yellow daisy, St. John's Wort and Chicory.
11. Nazi Iakobadze, v. Zarzma, Adigeni distr. - she
knows very common plants. Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is used for treatment of lever. Cichory, St. John's
Wort and Plantain are used during stomach problems.
12. Serop Arunumian, Akhaltsikhe - he is interested in
medicinal plants. Is often hiking in the surrounding
and knows several species of medicinal importance.
He knew about medicinal properties of orchids and
said that these properties are very dependent on habitat characteristics and is very fluctuating.
13. Tamar Okromelidze, Monastery Safara, Akhaltsikhe
distr. - she knows well many plant species. She has
shown us Hyssop and said that almost in all families
people are drinking tea of Hyssop in winter.
14. Makvala Kapanadze, v. Tsnisi, Akhaltsikhe distr. she was collecting leaves of Althaea officinalis and
Alcea rugosa Alef. on slope near the village. She has
shown us Caucasian Stonecrop (Sedum caucasicum)
and said that it is used fresh in treatment of abscesses
and boils.
15. Lida Okromelidze, v. Zanzobi, Akhaltsikhe distr. she was melting butter and knows many medicinal
plants. She had collecting Yellow daisy, Caucasian
Gentian, St. John's Wort etc.
16. Nina Zhuzhunadze, v. Zanzobi, Akhaltsikhe distr. she was making some kind of cheese - Tenili, this is
fibber form cheese imbedded in sour cream. She had
Hyssop, Plantain, Gentian and Cauacsian Gentian.
17. Germane Khvedelidze, v. Atskuri, Akhaltsikhe distr.
- He is agronomy and deals with grapes and fruit trees.
112
He had plenty of information on aboriginal grape,
apple and pear varieties.
18. Ovanes Avaranian, v. Kirovakan, Akhalkalaki distr. He is collecting Yellow daisy, which should be
Helichrysum graveolens, and it is growing in
Mountains towards Kartsakhi lake near the boundary
to Turkey.
19. Simon Afriamashvili, v. Arali, Akhaltsikhe distr. - He
is collecting plants, which is requested his wife, who
knows which plant should be used by which disease.
In general, Meskhetians and partly population in
Javakheti are acquainted with indigenous knowledge on
traditional use of medicinal plants and what is more
important they are actively using this knowledge to collect and prepare remedies from herbs. The opposite situation we have seen in Turkey, in Artvin Vialiet, which is
former territory of Meskheti - Tao-Klarjeti and local population is Georgian, who so far is speaking Georgian language. We met them in several villages in Artvin
Province. The general impression is that there was no
requirement to use traditional medicine and there is only
scientific medicine in use. Most persons said that they are
not collecting plants in nature and buy medicine in drugstores. However, some knowledge from the past is still
remaining among population and they were telling us
what they heard from ancestors. However, only in Yailas
in mountains some shepherds said that they are using
these plants.
1. Mamuka Molashvili - Pollen of Nettle is grained and
mixed with honey and taken orally helps against skin
cancer. Leaves of Salix spp. are used for treatment of
diabetes.
2. Hatila National Reserve - the local foresters had collected Linden flowers and were using as fiber reliever
in a form of tea.
3. Demirkent - the local shepherds of Turkish nationality told that they use Leek species (Allium rotundum)
for treatment of stomach infections.
4. Imertkhevi, v. Robati - we visited a family of
Georgians where two women hosted us - Gunesh
Akaltun and Fatma Akaltun. Both spoke Georgian
very well. They were using some medicinal plants in
the past, but were not collecting them regularly.
Plantain is for treatment of salt extraction from knee
and helps to reduce additional weight. Ribes spp.
(they called "Mertskhali," which means swallow in
Georgian) reduces sugar in blood. Pollen of Nettle
with honey is used against skin cancer taken orally.
Savory is carminative.
5. Imerkhevi, v. Diobani - we spoke with Kemel
Kakavan speaking Georgian. He told that people are
not using more medicinal plants. They have
Churchkhela, which is called Kuma. However, they
are not cultivated grapes and Tatara is made from
Mulberry juice.
6. Imerkhevi, v. Diobani - Alisulkhan Jafaridze had
some information on medicinal plants but was not
able to show or to tell us name of these plants. He
remembered only Pollen of Nettle used for treatment
of skin cancer.
Obviously population in Turkey had much less
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
MEDICINAL PLANTS
knowledge on traditional use of medicinal plants than
people in Meskheti and Javakheti.
About 250 indigenous species are used by local population in traditional medicine. Some of them, however,
represent interests for pharmaceutical companies to produce drugs. Hence, the collection for local use in traditional medicine does not seriously threatens wild populations, the industrial utilization in the wild represents great
impact threatening species survival and might cause their
extinction.
The industrial use of medicinal plants is many. It
involves the production of traditional herbal medicin,
herbal teas, health foods and modern drugs. The United
Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNID)
recently published a list of 70 medicinal plants used in
modern drug industry. Nowadays, there are at least 120
distinct chemical substances derived from plants that are
considered as important drugs currently in use in one or
more countries in the world. Many European countries
regulate herbal products as drugs and pharmaceutical
companies prepare plant based drugs simply by extracting
out the active chemicals from the plants. Although, several drugs are synthetic modifications of the naturally
obtained substances.
Furthermore, medicinal plants constitute a source of
valuable foreign exchange for most developing countries,
as they are a ready source of drugs or intermediates in the
production of semi-synthetic drugs. The world market for
plant-derived chemicals - pharmaceuticals, fragrances,
flavours, and colour ingredients, alone exceeds several
billion dollars per year. Trade in medicinal plants is growing in volume and in exports. China, which exports of
over 120,000 tonnes of medicinal herbs annually and
India with some 32,000 tonnes annually dominate the
international markets. It is estimated that Europe, annually, imports about 400,000 tonnes of medicinal plants with
an average market value of US$ 1 billion from Africa and
Asia. The botanical market, inclusive of herbs and medicinal plants, in the USA, is estimated at approximately
US$1.6 billion per year.
Georgia has big potential to develop industry of
drugs derived from plants. Pharmaceutical industry was
developed here since soviet times. However, to enter
world market with modern health care products requires
well developed extraction techniques, which are widely
known in Western nations. Therefore, there is urgent need
in collaboration, technical assistance and in conducting
research on plant-based products to develop modern pharmaceutical industry in the country. So far, developing
countries are considered as deliverers of rough herbal
materials to western countries producing drugs. Today,
Bulgaria, Germany and Poland are recognised as major
exporters of plant-based medicinal products. The problem
is that harvesting of medicinal plants in developing countries mainly occurs in the wild often on a scale detrimental to the viability of populations. This is determined by
the low labour costs in opposite to alternative cultivation
of medicinal plants in home gardens, which needs high
technology and long time before plantings will bring
income to owners. Therefore, it will be very difficult to
achieve complete forbidden on harvesting plants in the
wild. This makes important preserving species in their
natural habitats.
Conservation efforts of wild populations face many
problems including the non-availability of information in
countries regarding resources in terms of quantities and
mapping. And, lack of the information on the quantities of
plant material being harvested or sold (whether for the
local trade as traditional medicines, or for export and
extraction of active ingredients). Often plant collection is
done illegally contradicting existing legislation regulating
plant export and trade. The trade in botanical drugs is governed by legislation at national and international levels.
Those species protected internationally are covered in the
Convention on International Trade with Endangered
Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). Those protected nationally are listed in the Red Data Book of Georgia
(1982). In addition, botanical drug species can be protected through habitat protection in nature reserves. In spite of
this, control mechanisms in Georgia are pure and the private companies purchase botanical drugs from local population, mostly for export. Wild botanical drugs are collected by many people, mainly living in villages, who
have a traditional knowledge of them. For many of them
collecting is a source of additional income, generally done
sporadically and not according to a prior agreement. This
makes difficult monitoring and control on sustainable use
of medicinal plants in the country and causes enormous
damages of the populations of native species.
Medicinal plants of commercial importance in
Samtskhe-Javakheti are several. Among them are species
representing source of classic examples of phytochemicals such as colchicine derived from Colchicum spp.
(Naked Ladies), valerian from Valeriana officinalis
(Common Valerian), hypericin from Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort), paclitaxel from Taxus baccata
(Common Yew), platyphyllin - alkaloid of Senecio
rhombifolius (Groundsel), galantamine from Galanthus
spp. (Snowdrop), reserpine from Vinca herbacea
(Periwinkle), oripavine and thebaine from Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy), methylcaconitine and condelfine
from Delphinium spp. (Larkspur), lacocthonine from
Aconitum spp. (Aconite), ephedrine from Ephedra procera (Ephedra), digitoxin or digoxin from Digitalis ferruginea (Rusty Foxglove), myrtillin from Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry), etc.
Many of these species are harvesting in big amounts
periodically, when some private companies have demands
on their export. Among them are rare and even endangered species included in the Red Data Book of Georgia.
According to the information of local villagers, endemic
RDB species Senecio rhombifolius was collected in
Adigeni district and partly in Akhaltsikhe district (Vale
Mountains) in enormous amounts, 30-50 tonnes annually
for industrial use to produce drug platyphyllin. This
species is growing in upper montane and subalpine zones
and is restricted to more humid habitats. Although, the
populations are abundant, total area of species distribution
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
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5.2. Medicinal Plants used in Pharmaceutical
Industry
MEDICINAL PLANTS
is not large enough that such impact did not cause serious
consequences threatening species survival. Another
example is collection of bulbs of Naked Ladies. It contains colchicine an alkaloid with anticancerogenic effect,
which is extracted from the seeds of Colchicum. Bulbs
probably are collecting for decorative purposes.
Monitoring of wild populations have clearly revealed that
population growing in protected area in Zekari Pass located in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park was more abundant and genetically diverse than that in Goderzi Pass and
Erbo Mountain, where intensive collection took place.
The same might be said on Snowdrop (Galanthus alpinus), RDB species, bulbs of which are harvested illegally
and Periwinkle (Vinca herbacea), overexploitation of
which caused almost completely extinction of this species
in Mtkvari gorge near v. Atskuri, where wild population
occurred. It should be noted that Different regions of
exploitation is a problem common to all medicinal plants.
It leads, first of all, to the loss of genetic variation within
a given species, which is usually much more serious and
occurs much earlier than the total extinction of the species
itself. For some species the supplies from the wild last
only for three or four years, after which no more commercial production is possible because content of active substances declines. Therefore, for most species, the natural
reserves are the only protection measures to be applied.
Alternatively, on-farm production of medicinal
plants might be good solution of the problem of biodiversity loss. Nowadays, there are two farms in Adigeni district cultivating medicinal plants. One, in v. Imertubani
where local farmer Nikoloz Kublashvili is cultivating
Valerian and another in v. Varkhani where Avtandil
Natriashvili cultivates St. John's Wort. It is of interest that
both farmers used commercial seed material obtained
from Germany to start cultivation. This is the best solution
to ensure production of plants with high content of bioactive substances. The agronomic studies have already
shown that the therapeutic value of cultivated species
undergoes change with intensive cultivation practices.
There have to be stepwise selection process from wild
species to obtain cultivar with best therapeutic value.
Such selective work requires skills and knowledge which
local farmer might not have. Therefore, it is necessary that
researchers develop necessary recommendations and
methodology for local farmers and disseminate knowledge on cultivation techniques among population.
Finally, some components might be formulated for
mitigation of impacts of the collection of medicinal plants
from the wild to achieve biodiversity conservation and
sustainable utilization of resources: 1. The establishment
of database on species distribution, population density,
therapeutic values and quantities of plant material being
harvested or sold; 2. Legislation to control overexploitation for local use as well as for export to pharmaceutical
companies abroad; 3. Declaration of Natural Reserves for
in situ conservation; 4. Encouragement of local farmers to
cultivate medicinal plants in home-gardens; 5. A market
survey to determine present requirements and perspectives for trade. To implement these activities will ensure
conservation of rare medicinal plants threatened by over-
114
exploitation.
5.3. Rare and Endangered Medicinal Plants
Medicinal plants occur in all phytocenosis. The total
number of plant species used both in scientific and traditional medicine is 415 (Grossheim, 1946; Shengelia,
1952; Ketskhoveli, 1969; Kikava et al., 1997; Chirgadze,
2001; Kvachakidze, 2003; see Appendix 3). The local
population uses different plant species for medicinal purposes. Most of them are herbs, rarely woody plants, fungi
and algae are in use. Most plants are harvested in the
nature what threatens plant populations. This fact leads to
strong decline in diversity by loss of medicinal plant
species.
We selected several species from the complete list of
medicinal plants of Samtskhe-Javakheti region, which
were monitored during field surveys in 2005-2006.
Evaluation of resources and mapping were included in the
monitoring. Methodology for cultivation of selected
plants was developed.
5.3.1. Short list of target species of medicinal
plants
The following criteria have been used in the species
selection procedure:
1. The use for medical purposes of plant species by local
population. Priority is given to the plants which are
collected most intensively in the region e.g. for pharmaceutical industry or for the green apothecia.
2. Species status: abundant, rare, threatened, Red Data
Book species, included in the IUCN and CITES lists,
protected by Bern Convention, or species about which
there are data deficit (DD). Priority is given to species
which are protected, globally threatened or endemics
and overuse might lead to their extinction.
3. Ornamental properties of species. High ornamental
value of plant species is considered as additional benefit for successful marketing, which will increase
chances of local farmers to bring products to the market.
4. Species potential for cultivation. Priority is given to
plants easy to cultivate and bringing immense financial benefit to the farmers.
5. Market requirements for a species. Priority is given to
species which are used in pharmaceutical industry
world-wide and when there is some deficit in their
production. Special consideration is given to medicinal plants used as nutriment supplements and food.
These criteria have been applied to all known species
of medicinal plants distributed in the Samtskhe-Javakheti
region (Appendix 3.). It will be reasonable to use scoring
system for evaluation of these criteria. However, almost
completely lack of quantitative information on resources
of plant species in Georgia and concretely in this region
made it impossible to conduct such procedure. Therefore,
the overall evaluation has been done and 27 species presented in the Table 1 have been selected.
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
MEDICINAL PLANTS
Table 1. Short list of medicinal plants distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. Status of a species is determined
according to literature date as rare, Red Data Book species (RDB), IUCN, CITES, globally threatened (included in RDB
of other countries), threatened (determined for species intensively collected in the nature), DD (data deficit) and
endemics. Ornamental value of a species is indicated.
N
1
Scientific name
Allium victorialis L.
(Liliaceae)
Althaea armeniaca Ten.
(Malvaceae)
Althaea officinalis L.
(Malvaceae)
Artemisia absinthium L.
(Asteraceae)
Colchicum speciosum Steven
(Liliaceae)
Georgian common English common
Status
name
name
mTis RanZili
Alpine Leek
Rare, Ornamental
xomeWi
Mallow
Rare, Ornamental
samkurnalo tuxti
Mallow
RDB Georgia, Garden Plant, Ornamental
abzinda
Absinthe
DD, Poisenous
ucuna
Naked Ladies
Threatened, Ornamental
Crocus speciosus M. Bieb.
(Iridaceae)
Daphne glomerata Lam.
(Thymelaeaceae)
Digitalis ferruginea L.
(Scrophulariaceae)
zafrana
Crocus
Threatened, Ornamental
wiba
Daphne
Rare, Ornamental
futkara
Rusty Foxglove
Rare, Ornamental
Gagea chanae Grossh.
(Liliaceae)
Galanthus alpinus Sosn.
(Amaryllidaceae)
CitisTava
Yellow Star
Cauc. Endemic
TeTryvavila
Snowdrop
11
Gentiana septemfida Pall.
(Gentianaceae)
asisTava
Gentian
Geor. endemic, IUCN (DD),
RDB USSR, CITES, Ornamental
Rare, Ornamental
12
Ephedra procera Fisch. & C.A. Mey. jorisZua
(Ephedraceae)
Ephedra
Rare
13
Helichrysum graveolens (M. Bieb.) ukvdava
Sweet (Asteraceae)
Yellow Daisy
DD
14
Helichrysum plicatum DC.
(Asteraceae)
ukvdava
Yellow Daisy
DD
15
Helichrysum plintocalyx (K. Koch) ukvdava
Sosn. (Asteraceae)
Yellow Daisy
Cauc. Endemic
16
Helichrysum polyphyllum Ledeb.
(Asteraceae)
Yellow Daisy
Georgian endemic
17
Lilium kesselringianum Miscz.
(Liliaceae)
Lily
Georgian endemic, rare Ornamental
18
Orchis coriophora L. (Orchidaceae) jadvari
Orchid
CITES, rare, ornamental
19
Pulsatilla violacea Rupr.
(=P. georgica Rupr.;
Ranunculaceae)
Rhododendron caucasicum Pall.
(Ericaceae)
medgari
Violet Pasque
Flower
Rare, Ornamental
deka
DD, Ornamental
21
Sambucus tigranii Troitzk.
(Caprifoliaceae)
tigranis didgula
Caucasian
Rhododendron
Tigrani's
Elderberry
22
Scabiosa caucasica M. Bieb.
(Dipsacaceae)
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
20
23
24
mravalfoTliani
ukvdava
SroSana
cisfolio
Caucasian
Scabious
Scorzonera dzhawakhetica Sosn. ex javaxeTis famfarula Javakhetian
Grossh. (Asteraceae )
Viper's Grass.
Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. xarisSubla
Groundsel
UCN (VU), Caucasian endemic, rare
DD, Ornamental
RDB Georgia, Georg. Endemic,
Ornamental
Cauc. Endemic, RDB Georgia
Bip. (Asteraceae)
25
Taxus baccata L.
(Taxaceae)
uTxovari
Common Yew
26
Viola suavis M. Bieb. (Violaceae)
ia
Violet
RDB Georgia, RDB USSR,
CITES
DD
27
Viola odorata L.
(Violaceae)
baRis ia
Sweet Violet
Garden plant
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
115
MEDICINAL PLANTS
The status of species was determined according to
pure literature data given in the Key of Georgian
Vegetation (Ketskhoveli, 1969); Plants of Georgia Needed
Protection (Ketskhoveli, 1977); Red Data Book of
Georgia (1982); Red Data Book of the USSR (1984);
IUCN Red Data Book (2001); CITES list of Georgia
(Bitsadze, Rukhadze, 2001) and The Bern Convention
(2000).
The analyses have shown that only 8 species from
the complete list of medicinal plants of SamtskheJavakheti region are included in the RDB of Georgia and
4 in the RDB of USSR, as a total 10 species. We have
included 5 RDB species in the short list - Althaea officinalis, Galanthus alpinus, Scorzonera dzhawakhetica,
Senecio rhombifolius and Taxus baccata. All of them are
extremely vulnerable, easy to cultivate, have high requirements on the market and have high ornamental value. 5
other RDB species were rejected. 3 of them - Ficus carica, Juglans regia and Punica granatum are nonnative,
cultivated and naturalized species, 2 others - Hippopha.
rhamnoides and Quercus macranthera are difficult to cultivate.
There are some endemics for the Caucasus or only
for Georgia in the complete list - Anthemis iberica,
Crataegus caucasica, Gagea alexeenkoana, Gagea
chanae, Galanthus alpinus, Helichrysum polyphyllum,
Heracleum sosnowskyi, Medicago hemicycla, Paeonia
caucasica, Papaver oreophilum, Pulsatilla georgica,
Pyrus caucasica, Sambucus tigranii, Sempervivum
pumilum, Senecio rhombifolius etc. We have 8 species in
the short list - Gagea chanae, Galanthus alpinus,
Helichrysum plintocalyx, Helichrysum polyphyllum,
Pulsatilla georgica, Sambucus tigranii, Scorzonera
dzhawakhetica and Senecio rhombifolius. Some other
species such as Crataegus caucasica, Heracleum sosnowskyi and Sempervivum sosnowskyi are potential candidates for inclusion in the list but they occurred less prioritized when compared to other plants.
The same Galanthus alpinus and Sambucus tigranii
are the only species from the complete list included in the
116
IUCN list of threatened plants. It is included as well in
CITES list together with Taxus baccata and Orchis coriophora. We have included all these species in the short list.
It should be noted, however, that without applying of special technology it will not be possible to cultivate any
orchid species.
Status was determined as "globally threatened" if the
species is included in any RDB of other countries. We
have checked the RDB of Switzerland and Germany.
Status threatened and rare are given according to
Ketskhoveli (1977), or determined on the base of information if these species are collected intensively in nature.
There are number of nonnative species naturalized from
gardens and intensively used in the traditional medicine.
We think they have big potential for cultivation in the
farms. However, we did not include them in the list as this
not directly coincides to our goals.
It should be mentioned, that there was no information on abundance of number of species included in the
list. We determined their status as DD (data deficient). We
have several species with undetermined status in the list.
All of them are highly valuable medicinal plants, which
are most extensively collected in the nature and sold in
green apothecia and on the market. We think they need
urgent protection. In general this survey has revealed lack
of information on any quantitative data about species
resources in Georgian flora. It makes difficult to undertake more exact evaluation of the status of plant species
for this time.
Finally, we have to mention, that indeed all medicinal plants need special conservation measures to be
undertaken for their protection. All species are collected
in the nature and independent on their amount increase of
intensity of their collection may lead to the drastic results
and cause their extinction. However, for the beginning of
conservation works on medicinal plants in Georgia priority should be given to rare and endangered species which
at the same time have high ornamental value simplifying
their utilization on the market.
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
6. Threats to Biodiversity
The main underlying causes of biodiversity losses
originate in some of the most basic social, economic,
political, cultural and historical features of society. The
driving forces are numerous and interdependent, and
although many of them depend strongly on international
decisions and activities, the approaches to dealing with
them are specific to countries and local settings and will
therefore vary. The causes can be local, national, regional
or global, transmitting their effects through economic or
political actions. They include:
- Broad social, economic and political processes such
as unsustainable production and consumption patterns, human population growth, inadequate economic valuation of biodiversity, globalization of trade,
poverty, inappropriate structural adjustment policies,
harmful subsidies and incentives, lack of clear land
use rights, lack of political will, political unrest and
wars;
- Institutional and social weaknesses such as poor
governance, lack of intersectoral coordination and
effective partnership, fragmented decisionmaking,
lack of secure land tenure and uneven distribution of
ownership, loss of cultural identity and spiritual value,
insufficient scientific and implementation capacities,
lack of information, limited use of scientific and local
knowledge and lack of awareness and poor understanding of the role of biodiversity in providing goods
and services and in defining sustainable development;
- Market and economic policy failures such as lack or
nonenforcement of appropriate regulatory mechanisms, prevalence of harmful subsidies and incentives, absence of appropriate local and global markets
for biodiversity goods and services and lack of clear
environmental and development policies and of environmental impact assessments;
- Lack of knowledge, particularly among those directly involved in the management of biodiversity and
those who make decisions on economic activities and
development projects that affect biodiversity and
ecosystems. The influence of human activities on wild
species has grown at an unprecedented rate. Although
some species respond positively to anthropogenic
pressures, the great majority show only limited tolerance of increasingly widespread and rapid changes to
ecosystems worldwide. The major human induced
impacts on biodiversity are: habitat destruction and
fragmentation; invasive alien species; over-utilization; disease; pollution and contaminants; incidental
mortality; and climate change. The primary causes of
plant species endangerment are habitat destruction,
commercial exploitation (such as overgrazing, plant
collecting in undisturbed habitat, road and pipeline
constructions, deforestation, land degradation, urbanization, etc.), damages caused by non-native plants
and animals introduced into an area, and pollution.
The elaboration of mitigation and compensation
measures is necessary to develop in situ conservation
needs of plant diversity.
It is estimated that since historical times the world
has lost c. 40% of its original 60 million km2 of forest
cover through human activity (FAO, 1997). This loss continues today with c. 14.6 million hectares of forests
destroyed each year, totaling a 4.2% loss of natural forest
cover during the 1990s, with the rates of loss being highest in Africa and South America (FAO, 2000). It is no surprise therefore, that habitat destruction is a major threat to
the world's biodiversity. For many species the habitat
degradation that accompanies selective resource exploitation, or that occurs in habitats next to cleared areas, can
have serious negative consequences too.
Humans have harvested and traded species since
time immemorial: for food, medicine, fuel, material use
(especially timber), and for cultural, scientific and leisure
(i.e., sport) activities. This use of nature is fundamental to
the economies and cultures of many nations (e.g., Mainka
and Trivedi, 2002). For example, medicinal plants are not
only a vital source of biologically active substances, but
also generates valuable income for rural populations.
However, expanding markets and increasing demand,
combined with improved access and techniques for harvesting, and increased ease of transportation and techniques of preservation, are causing the exploitation of
many species beyond sustainable levels.
Humans have been transporting animals and plants
from one part of the world to another for thousands of
years, sometimes deliberately (e.g., livestock released by
sailors onto islands as a source of food) and sometimes
accidentally (e.g., rats escaping from boats). In most
cases, such introductions are unsuccessful, but when they
do become established as an invasive alien species
defined by IUCN (2000) as "an alien species which
becomes established in natural or semi-natural ecosystems or habitat, is an agent of change, and threatens native
biological diversity", the consequences can be catastrophic. Invasives can affect native species directly by competing with them, and introducing pathogens or pests that
sicken or kill them or, indirectly, by destroying or degrading their habitat.
Diseases can cause chronic population declines, dramatic die-offs or reductions in the reproductive success
and survival of individual species. Some diseases now
appear to be spreading to populations previously unaffected, including to species already seriously threatened by
other factors. Invasive diseases have already been implicated in the extinction of some species.
Pollution directly affects species through mortality
and sublethal effects such as reduced fertility. Pollution
can also have strong indirect effects by degrading habitats
or reducing food supplies.
The Earth is undergoing profound changes to its cli-
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mate. There is now little doubt that this results from
human activities, mainly the burning of fossil fuels.
Climatic changes have occurred throughout Earth's history. However, these recent changes are different because
they are taking place faster and are unlikely to be reversed
by natural processes. As yet few species have been identified as being threatened on the IUCN Red List specifically owing to climate change. However, there are many
examples of the effects of climate change on species from
around the world, which taken together, provide compelling evidence that climate change will be catastrophic
for many species. Climate change may alter species' distribution, abundance, phenology, morphology (size and
shape), and genetic composition.
Modeling studies show that the ranges occupied by
many species will become unsuitable for them as the climate changes. The climate space that is suitable for par-
118
ticular species may shift in latitude or altitude, contract or
even disappear. Many species will probably not be able to
keep up with their changing climate space. As species
move at different rates, the community structure of
ecosystems will also become disrupted. Both local and
global extinctions are likely. One recent global study estimated that 15-37% of regionally endemic species could
be committed to extinction by 2050 (Thomas et al., 2004),
while another study in Queensland, northern Australia,
shows that the number of extinctions will increase rapidly if temperatures rise by more than c. 20C (Williams et al.,
2003).
Therefore, urgent conservation measures have to be
undertaken to preserve native rare species impacted by
human activity or climate change. With this concern, most
important activity is determination of species status and
steps to be done for their preservation.
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
7. Conservation of Biodiversity
Human society is highly dependent on genetic
resources, including those from wild and semi-domesticated sources, for the productivity of its agriculture.
Conventional wisdom holds that modern farming is largely incompatible with wildlife conservation. Thus, policies
to protect wildlife typically rely on land use segregation,
establishing protected areas from which agriculture is
officially excluded. Farmers are seen as problems by
those promoting this view of wildlife conservation. It is
necessary, however, to enhance the contribution of farming systems as essential part of any biodiversity conservation strategy, and to require new technical research, support for local farmer innovation, and adoption of new
agricultural and environmental policies at local, national
and international levels.
For conservation action to be effective, it is important to understand not just the needs of individual species,
but also the context in which conservation efforts will
need to take place. A better understanding of human
demand and impact on natural resources can help inform
decisions and guide conservation efforts so that conflicts
in interests between humans and biodiversity can be minimized.
Most threats to biodiversity are the result of human
actions, and human actions alone can prevent many
species from becoming extinct. This section provides an
overview of the main types of responses that can be
applied to the conservation of the world's species, with a
focus on those at greatest risk of extinction. It is mostly
based on information on conservation measures required
or in place for each species, collected through the Red List
assessment process.
Here, five broad groups of conservation responses
are considered:
- Research action, which provides the knowledge on
which other conservation responses are based;
- Communication and education, which creates the
public awareness needed to support most conservation
practice, and the human capacity required for implementing it;
- Policy-based actions, fundamental to provide the
institutional support, human and financial resources,
and legal framework required for effective species
conservation;
- Habitat and site-based actions, which protect
species in their natural habitats; and
- Species-based actions, addressing species-specific
threats and conservation needs required for ensuring
the species' long-term persistence.
It is thus more effective if supported by adequate knowledge on the species (taxonomy, biology and ecology, population numbers and trends, range, and habitat status), on
the threats affecting the species, and the most effective
measures for addressing those threats. Although the IUCN
Red List is biased towards the better-studied groups and
regions, many species already assessed by the Red List
still require substantial improvement in the knowledge
base to support effective conservation action.
The Red List Category Data Deficient (DD) is
assigned to a species when there is inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of
extinction based on its distribution and/or population status (IUCN, 2001). There are currently 3,580 species listed
on the IUCN Red List as DD including 2,882 animals and
698 plants. Data Deficient species are mainly concentrated in regions with high biodiversity that have been poorly studied. In many cases, this information is very limited,
and further research is urgently needed to guide conservation actions aimed at improving species' conservation status.
Most species in need of research action require baseline information on their population numbers and range
(fundamental to guiding in situ conservation action, establishing baselines for monitoring), and knowledge of the
species' population and range trends critical for the application of the IUCN Red List Criteria. Monitoring of range
and population trends is frequently needed, and this will
contribute directly to the development of biodiversity
indicators. Many species lack basic data on biology and
ecology needed to understand habitat requirements,
capacity for population recovery, dispersal ability, and
vulnerability to environmental change. In some cases, further research is needed to clarify the taxonomic status of
species, which may reveal currently unknown species that
face high extinction risk. Better data are frequently needed on the threats affecting species' populations and on the
effectiveness of conservation measures.
7.2. Communication and Education
Conservation action frequently needs to be tailored
to the specific circumstances affecting particular species.
Communication and education actions are fundamental to promoting responsible decisions. These include:
recognizing and being willing to pay higher prices for
products (such as wood) and services (such as tourism)
obtained in ways that promote habitat protection; reducing patterns of over-consumption; providing public support for policies that promote conservation; and providing
private support to conservation action. Zoos, aquariums
and botanical gardens play an important role in raising the
public awareness and understanding of the threats and
conservation needs of threatened species (Miller et al.,
2004).
Effective conservation action requires adequate tech-
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7.1. Research Action
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
nical capacity, which is frequently lacking in those parts
of the world that need it the most. Local technical capacity is fundamental to: the collection and interpretation of
data on the conservation status of, and threats to, species;
supporting decisions on effective conservation responses;
and guiding the implementation of conservation programmes. Capacity development also includes institutional strengthening, the development of legal and policy
frameworks, and ensuring that a variety of stakeholders
have an active role in decisionmaking on protected areas
and their management (Carabias and Rao, 2003).
7.3. Policy-Based Actions
Policy-based actions are essential for providing the
institutional support, human and financial resources, and
legal framework required to ensure effective species conservation. Frequently, such actions occur through the
development and implementation of legislation at the
national or sub-national levels, or through international
agreements. Legislation is sometimes directed at the protection of particular species, such as by regulating the harvesting of individuals, their trade (e.g., CITES), or alterations in their habitat (e.g., Ramsar Convention).
Legislation can also promote habitat protection, most
noticeably through the creation of protected areas: 241
countries or territories are recognized by the 2004 World
Database on Protected Areas as having officially designated protected areas of some type (WDPA Consortium,
2004). Legislation may also protect habitat by regulating
land use patterns at a broader scale (e.g., Forest Code), or
through the regulation of anthropogenic activities that are
frequently the least direct but most pervasive causes of
species declines (e.g., pollution generated by industry,
transport leading to the introduction of invasive species,
consumption of fossil fuels leading to climate change).
The role of multilateral environmental agreements
has grown during the last decade, as human impacts intensify and span across national boundaries more often.
There are now more than 500 international treaties that
concern the environment and most countries have ratified
key international treaties (although significant gaps
remain). These agreements are a means to adopt harmonized approaches and resolve trans-boundary problems
with neighboring states. They increasingly offer access to
worldwide knowledge, tools and financial resources, and
they can give conservation agencies a stronger mandate
domestically (Steiner et al., 2003).
Nevertheless, most conservation action takes place
at the national level, and the national legal framework
remains crucial in the effective implementation of the vast
majority of conservation programmes. Naturally, legislation is only useful if adequately implemented and such
implementation is lacking in many cases. Policy-based
actions are frequently implemented as a top-down
approach, but their effectiveness is in many cases hindered by a lack of involvement with the local communities that are the direct users of biodiversity. Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES; 1975; universal) regulates international trade of the species listed. Convention on Biological
Diversity (1992; universal): the programmes of work
developed under the CBD encourage Parties to take a
wide range of actions to biodiversity conservation and
sustainable use. European Union Habitats Directive
(1992; Regional): the natural habitat listed must be maintained at a favourable status, particularly through the creation of a network of protected sites. Convention on
Wetlands of International Importance Especially as
Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention; 1975; universal): provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of
wetlands and their resources, in particular through the
designation of sites under the Ramsar List of Wetlands of
International Importance. Convention concerning the
Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
(World Heritage Convention; 1972; universal): provides
for the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage (including habitats of threatened
species) around the world considered to be of outstanding
value to humanity. Countries submit places for designation under the World Heritage List. United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (1994; universal) and Kyoto Protocol (adopted in 1997): caps greenhouse gas emissions in participating industrialized nations
from 2008 to 2012 and establishes an international market
in emissions credits that will allow these nations to seek
out the most cost-effective means to reduce atmospheric
concentrations of greenhouse gases.
Georgia's general wild flora and fauna conservation
measures are regulated by several legislative acts adopted
by the Georgian Parliament in 1994-2000 (Tab. 2).
Table 2. Main environmental laws of Georgia
Law
Law on Protection of Flora from Harmful Organisms
The Constitution of Georgia
Law on Protected Area System
Law on Normative Acts
Law on Environmental Protection
Law on Wildlife
Law on State Ecological Expertise
Law on Environmental Permits
Law on Creation and Management of the Kolkheti Protected Areas
120
Date
12.10.1994
24.08.1995
07.01.1996
29.10.1996
10.12.1996
26.12.1996
01.01.1997
01.01.1997
09.12.1998
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
Law on Changes and Amendments into the Law on Protection of Flora from Harmful Organisms
The Forest Code
National Environmental Action Plan of Georgia
Law on Melioration of Lands
Law on Special Preservation of State Forest Fund and the Plantation within the Tbilisi City and
Neighbouring Territories
Law on expantion of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
Law on Red Data List and Red Data Book of Georgia
Law on State Control of Nature Protection
7.4. Habitat and Site-Based Actions
Retaining viable populations in their native habitats
is an essential conservation response for ensuring the
long-term persistence of species. A finer-scale approach
for investigating species coverage in protected areas is by
mapping sites known to be essential for the persistence of
each species and investigating their level of formal protection. For these species, in situ conservation requires the
establishment of networks of protected area, adequately
connected though a matrix of favourable habitat that
allows for species movement through, and persistence in,
the broader landscape.
The following protected areas occur on the territory
of Samtskhe-Javakheti:
7.4.1. Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park was designated in 1995 under Resolution No. 447 of the Cabinet of
Ministers. The main purpose of the designation is the conservation of existing ecosystems; restoration of degraded
areas; facilitation and control of sustainable use of renewable resources; awareness / educational activities and ecotourism. According to the Park Management Plan compiled by WWF, the Park is divided into a number of zones:
core zone (strict nature protection zone); wilderness zone;
traditional use zone; recuperation zone and support zone
(covering the five Districts that share a common boundary
with the Park). The National Park extends to 50,400
hectares, having been extended in 2000. It covers primary
forest and sub-alpine meadows typical of the central
region of the Lesser Caucasus. The Park supports a good
variety of flora and fauna including several rare and
endangered species, relic species and species endemic to
the central Caucasus region. The Support Zone covers
150,000 hectares and consisting of various land uses
including agriculture, industry, infrastructure and areas of
natural and semi-natural habitat. The rationale for the
establishment of the Support Zone is to secure the support
of park neighbours for the sustainable protection of the
park. This is achieved through the economic support and
assistance to Park neighbours in recognition of sacrifices
made in giving up certain user rights for areas converted
to a National Park and by involving Park neighbours in
the planning and Park management process. Land and
resource use in the Support Zone should be compatible
with the conservation objectives for the Park. The devel-
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22.06.1999
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16.10.2000
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28.03.2001
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23.06.2005
opment of the Support Zone should be based on a well
designed, Regional Development Plan aimed at sustainable economic development for the benefit of Support
Zone Communities and biodiversity conservation. The
Support Zone does not correspond to an IUCN category
and as such is not listed on the IUCN international list of
protected areas. In December 1998, the governments of
Germany and Georgia signed a bilateral agreement
regarding financial co-operation for the project concerning 'Environment and Protection of Natural Resources
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park'. Further details of the
co-operation are provided in the Decree of the President
of Georgia (13th July 2001) on 'Co-ordinated Planning
and Implementation of Ongoing and Prospective
Programs of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park and It's
Support Zone'. The German government provides funds
for three programmes in the Park - implementation of
infrastructure; training/education and a Support Zone
development programme.
7.4.2. Expansion of Borjomi-Kharagauli National
Park
The Borjomi-Kharagauli national Park was expanded towards Samtskhe-Javakheti region, namely
Akhaltsikhe and Adigeni districts. It includes slopes of
Meskheti and Vani ranges, Abastumani and Zekari Pass.
Area is 10,846 ha. Legal Basis is Law of Georgia on
Protected Areas, Agreement on Financial Co-operation
within the Project "Protection of Environment /BorjomiKharagauli National Park" between Georgia and
Germany, approved by Resolution of Cabinet of Ministers
of Georgia No. 447, dated 28/07/1995, On Activities
Facilitating Formation of System of Protected Areas and
Establishment of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park,
Transitional Adigeni district authorities, State Department
of Land Management and Adigeni Forestry of State
Department of Forestry. IUCN Category: equivalent to
IUCN Category II.
7.4.3. Tetrobi Managed Reserve
Tetrobi Plateau represents refugee for many endemic and relict species. It is part of Tetrobi-Chobareti range
and is composed of limestone. Its area is 3,100 ha. Date of
establishment 1995. Purpose: protection and restoration
of enique plant species and their biodiversity, protection
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CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY
of unique Tetrobi forest. Activity: protection /conservation, restoration, monitoring, restricted tourism;
Management: State Department of Protected Areas,
Nature Reserves and Hunting Grounds. Level of designation: National. IUCN Category: equivalent to IUCN,
Category IV 'Habitat / Species Management Area.
7.4.4. Other protected areas
Erusheti mountain systems and several wetlands are
proposed to receive managed reserve status. Wetland vegetation of the area is mainly used for haymaking.
Therefore, 5 managed reserves and one area of restricted
use (Ktsia-Tabatskuri managed reserve, Paravani Lake
proposed managed reserve, Khanchali Lake proposed
managed reserve, Madatapa Lake proposed managed
reserve, Kartsakhi (Khozapini) Lake managed reserve,
Saghamo Lake proposed area of restricted use) on the
Javakheti volcanic upland were proposed to establish,
which will play an important role for protecting of wetland vegetation of Georgia.
7.5. Species-Based Actions
In many cases, habitat protection on its own is not
sufficient, and direct intervention is required to mitigate
or eliminate specific threats to species. Ex situ conservation can offer insurance against extinctions by providing a
source population for future re-introductions or reinforcement of wild populations. These can be either re-introduction into previous habitat from where the species has been
122
lost or begin introductions into areas of suitable habitat
that have not been previously colonized by the species.
Species threatened by over-exploitation typically require
conservation measures that either prevent or discourage
harvesting (e.g., trade control through CITES), or promote sustainable use. The latter may involve harvest management or commercialization of farmed individuals to
reduce pressure on wild populations.
Species based actions for conservation includes exsitu conservation in living collections (e.g., in botanical
gardens), seed banks and other propagule and germplasm
preservation. One of the most effective conservation
measures is encouragement of local population to cultivate in home gardens and in grounds species, which are
harvesting in wild populations to extreme degree.
The purpose of the living collections is conservation
of rare and endangered plants and observations for development of on-farm cultivation technology of selected
species. The territory for living collection to be design for
the current project is c. 200 m2. The bulbous plants will be
replanted from the wild, other species will be grown from
seeds. From 10 to 100 plants in one sample depending on
population status and species endangerment will be planted. The plant material will be originated from 3 to 5 different populations of a species. Necessary spacing and
when needed flower bagging will be used to avoid
intraspecific hybridization and genetic pollution.
Seed collections will be done from all populations
visited during field trips. Up to 100 seeds will be collected per population depending on the endangerment of the
species. The seeds will be given to ELKANA for longterm preservation in the seed bank.
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
METHODOLOGY
8. Methodology
8.1. Nature of the IUCN categories and criteria
The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria were
first published in 1994 following six years of research
and broad consultation (IUCN, 1994). The 1994 IUCN
Categories and Criteria were developed to improve
objectivity and transparency in assessing the conservation status of species, and therefore to improve consistency and understanding among users. The 1994 categories and criteria were applied to a large number of
species in compiling the 1996 Red List of Threatened
Animals. The assessment of many species for the 1996
Red List drew attention to certain areas of difficulty,
which led IUCN to initiate a review of the 1994 categories and criteria, which was undertaken during 1998
to 1999. This review was completed and the IUCN Red
List Categories and Criteria (version 3.1) was published (IUCN, 2001). The Red List Guidelines
appeared in 2004 defining methods of determination of
IUCN categories. In 2004 was published as "2004
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: A Global
Species Assessment".
Regional Applications Working Group. When applied
at national or regional levels it must be recognized that
a global category may not be the same as a national or
regional category for a particular taxon. For example,
taxa classified as Least Concern globally might be
Critically Endangered within a particular region where
numbers are very small or declining, perhaps only
because they are at the margins of their global range.
Conversely, taxa classified as Vulnerable on the basis
of their global declines in numbers or range might,
within a particular region where their populations are
stable, not even nearly meet the criteria for Vulnerable,
i.e. be Least Concern. Although this appears illogical,
it is a result of the structure of the criteria. When such
a situation occurs, interactions among sub-units should
be carefully considered when planning recovery. It is
also important to note that taxa endemic to regions or
nations will be assessed globally in any regional or
national applications of the criteria.
8.1.3 Introduced taxa
The IUCN criteria are designed for global taxon
assessments. However, many people are interested in
applying them to subsets of global data, especially at
regional, national or local levels. To do this it is important to refer to guidelines prepared by the IUCN/SSC
The categorization process should only be applied
to wild populations inside their natural range, and to
populations resulting from benign introductions.
Benign introductions are defined in the IUCN
Guidelines for Re-Introductions (IUCN 1998) as '…an
attempt to establish a species, for the purpose of conservation, outside its recorded distribution, but within
an appropriate habitat and eco-geographical area. This
is a feasible conservation tool only when there is no
remaining area left within a species' historic range'. If
the only individuals left are in a naturalized population
or a population resulting from a benign introduction,
then the taxon should be considered Extinct in the
Wild. In some cases, taxa have successfully expanded
their natural ranges into urban or semi-urban areas. In
these instances urban areas should be considered as
part of the natural range, as the taxa have not been
introduced. The original non-urban occurrence may
only be assessed as a separate subpopulation (which
then must be clearly indicated) if there is little demographic or genetic exchange (typically one successful
migrant individual or gamete per year or less) between
the original and urbanized occurrences.
In addition to taxa within their natural range and
subpopulations resulting from benign introductions
(outside the taxon's natural range), the criteria should
also be applied to self-sustaining translocated or reintroduced subpopulations (within the taxon's natural
range), regardless of the original goal of such translo-
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8.1.1. Taxonomic scale of categorization
The criteria may be applied to any taxonomic unit
at or below the species level. In the IUCN guidelines,
the terms 'taxon' and 'taxa' are used to represent species
or lower taxonomic levels, including forms that are not
yet fully described. There is sufficient range among the
different criteria to enable appropriate listing of taxa
from the complete taxonomic spectrum, with the
exception of micro-organisms. In presenting the results
of applying criteria, the taxonomic unit used (species,
subspecies, etc.) should be specified. It should be noted
that taxa below the rank of variety (e.g., forma, morph,
cultivar), are NOT included on the IUCN Red List,
with the exception of assessments of isolated subpopulations. Before assessments of units below the species
level (subspecies, variety or subpopulation) that can be
included in the IUCN Red List, an assessment of the
full species is also required.
8.1.2. Geographical scale of categorization
METHODOLOGY
cations or re-introductions. In such cases, the listing
should indicate whether all or part of the assessed population has been introduced. Populations introduced for
non-conservation purposes, outside the natural range of
the taxon are not assessed globally, but they may be
assessed regionally.
8.1.4. The IUCN categories
There are nine clearly defined categories into
which every taxon in the world (excluding microorganisms) can be classified. Extinct means that there
is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
Extinct in the Wild means that the taxon is extinct in
its natural habitat. The following three categories,
Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable,
are assigned to taxa on the basis of quantitative criteria
that are designed to reflect varying degrees of threat of
extinction. These criteria will be discussed further in
the next section. The category Near Threatened is
applied to taxa that do not qualify as threatened now,
but may be close to qualifying as threatened. The category Least Concern is applied to taxa that do not qualify (and are not close to qualifying) as threatened or
near threatened. The remaining two categories do not
reflect the threat status of taxa. The category Data
Deficient highlights taxa for which sufficient information is lacking to make a sound status assessment. The
inclination to assess taxa as Data Deficient may be very
strong; it should be emphasised that assessors must use
all data available in full when making a Red List
assessment. Precise information on scarce taxa is usually lacking, and although the criteria are highly quantitative and defined, one can use projections, assumptions and inferences in order to place a taxon in the
appropriate category. Since Data Deficient is not a category of threat, taxa placed in this category are not so
obviously targets for conservation action, although
their needs might be very great. Assessors should use
whatever information is available and relevant to make
assessments and place taxa into the Data Deficient category only when there is really no alternative.
Guidance on handling uncertainty is especially relevant in the case of poorly known taxa. The category
Not Evaluated applies to taxa that have not yet been
evaluated against the Red List Criteria.
The following descriptions might be used for the
IUCN categories:
EXTINCT (EX)
A taxon is Extinct when there is no reasonable
doubt that the last individual has died. A taxon is presumed Extinct when exhaustive surveys in known
and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times (diurnal,
seasonal, annual), throughout its historic range have
failed to record an individual. Surveys should be over
a time frame appropriate to the taxon's life cycles and
life form.
124
EXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW)
A taxon is Extinct in the Wild when it is known
only to survive in cultivation, or as a naturalised population (or populations) well outside the past range. A
taxon is presumed Extinct in the Wild when exhaustive
surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times (diurnal, seasonal, annual), throughout its historic range have failed to record an individual. Surveys
should be over a time frame appropriate to the taxon's
life cycle and life form.
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR)
A taxon is Critically Endangered when the best
available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E for Critically Endangered, and it is therefore considered to be facing an extremely high risk of
extinction in the wild.
ENDANGERED (EN)
A taxon is Endangered when the best available
evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to
E for Endangered, and it is therefore considered to be
facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
VULNERABLE (VU)
A taxon is Vulnerable when the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E
for Vulnerable, and it is therefore considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
NEAR THREATENED (NT)
A taxon is Near Threatened when it has been evaluated against the criteria but does not qualify for
Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable now,
but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for
a threatened category in the near future.
LEAST CONCERN (LC)
A taxon is Least Concern when it has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for
Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or
Near Threatened. Widespread and abundant taxa are
included in this category.
DATA DEFICIENT (DD)
A taxon is Data Deficient when there is inadequate information to make a direct or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution
and/or population status. A taxon in this category may
be well studied, and its biology well known, but appropriate data on abundance and/or distribution are lacking. Data Deficient is therefore not a category of threat.
Listing of taxa in this category indicates that more
information is required and acknowledges the possibility that future research will show that threatened classification is appropriate. It is important to make positive use of whatever data are available. In many cases
great care should be exercised in choosing between DD
and a threatened status. If the range of a taxon is suspected to be relatively circumscribed, if a considerable
period of time has elapsed since the last record of the
taxon, threatened status may well be justified.
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
METHODOLOGY
NOT EVALUATED (NE)
A taxon is Not Evaluated when it has not yet been
evaluated against the criteria.
mentation. It is important to emphasise here that a
taxon may require conservation action even if it is not
listed as threatened, and that effectively conserved
threatened taxa may, as their status improves over time,
cease to qualify for listing.
8.1.5. The IUCN criteria
There are five quantitative criteria which are used
to determine whether a taxon is threatened or not, and
if threatened, which category of threat it belongs in
(Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable).
These criteria are based around the biological indicators of populations that are threatened with extinction,
such as rapid population decline or very small population size. Most of the criteria also include subcriteria
that must be used to justify more specifically the listing
of a taxon under a particular category. For example, a
taxon listed as "Vulnerable C2a(i)" has been placed in
the Vulnerable category because its population is fewer
than 10,000 mature individuals (criterion C) and the
population is undergoing a continuing decline and all
its mature individuals are in one subpopulation (subcriterion a (i) of criterion C2).
The five criteria are:
A. Declining population (past, present and/or projected);
B. Geographic range size, and fragmentation,
decline or fluctuations;
C. Small population size and fragmentation,
decline, or fluctuations;
D. Very small population or very restricted distribution;
E. Quantitative analysis of extinction risk (e.g.,
Population Viability Analysis).
8.1.6. Conservation priorities and actions
The category of threat is not necessarily sufficient
to determine priorities for conservation action. The category of threat simply provides an assessment of the
extinction risk under current circumstances, whereas a
system for assessing priorities for action will include
numerous other factors concerning conservation action
such as costs, logistics, chances of success, and other
biological characteristics. The Red List should therefore not be interpreted as a means of priority setting.
The difference between measuring threats and assessing conservation priorities needs to be appreciated.
However, assessment of taxa using Red List Criteria
represents a critical first step in setting priorities for
conservation action.
Many taxa assessed under the IUCN Red List
Criteria will already be subject to some level of conservation action. The criteria for the threatened categories
are to be applied to a taxon whatever the level of conservation action affecting it, and any conservation
measures must be included with the assessment docu-
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
8.1.7. Regional Red Lists
A large number of regional (i.e., sub-national,
national and regional) Red Data Books and Red Data
Lists have been published around the world. In some of
these publications, the Red List assessments are based
on classification systems of threat developed and
adopted within the country concerned; many of the
older publications are based on the pre-1994 system of
qualitative IUCN Red List Categories; but an ever
increasing number of regional Red List assessments
are based on the IUCN Red List Categories and
Criteria (IUCN, 1994a,b, 2001). The IUCN Red List
Categories and Criteria, however, were developed primarily for application at the global level. Hence assessments of non-endemic species at national levels based
on these criteria could result in incorrect and even misleading (especially when linked to conservation priority setting schemes) listings. As a result, IUCN through
the Red List Programme has formulated regional
guidelines to guide the assessment of endemic and
non-endemic species (IUCN, 2003).
The regional application guidelines are not a fixed
set of rules that must be followed but a set of best-practice guidelines that indicate the preferred approaches to
be followed and the issues that need to be addressed.
Adoption of the regional guidelines is encouraged as
they help make regional Red Lists more comparable,
they promote the sharing of species information
between neighboring countries, and they promote better flow of information between the regional and global levels. A National Red List Advisory Group
(NRLAG) has been established by the IUCN/SSC Red
List Committee to actively promote the use of the
guidelines, and to act as an advisory group on best
practice. The NRLAG intends developing three interrelated projects: (1) a survey of the Convention on
Biological Diversity focal points to evaluate their
approach to national threatened species lists; (2) an
evaluation and analysis of several countries which
have or are planning to apply the IUCN Red List
Criteria at a national level; and (3) to hold a workshop
involving the selected test countries where the different
experiences and problems can be shared and solutions
developed. The NRLAG is particularly interested in
the linkages between Red Lists and conservation policy and priority setting for conservation actions.
Compilers of regional Red Lists are encouraged to submit assessments of all endemic species for possible inclusion
in the IUCN Red List. All submissions must include the necessary supporting documentation (IUCN, 2001; see
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METHODOLOGY
http://www.iucnredlist.org/info/organization.html) and
are subject to peer review by the relevant Red List
Authorities.
8.2. Mapping
The geographic range of a species can be assessed
using a variety of techniques (Gaston, 1994). First, and
at the coarsest resolution, species distributions have
traditionally been mapped through known occurrence
in predefined geographic units, such as countries
(Mittermeier, 1988) or geopolitical units (Brummitt,
2001), and ecological systems and biomes (Olson et
al., 2001). Second, are polygon range maps ("Extent of
Occurrence" (EOO), defined in IUCN (2001) based on
a combination of known records and specialist knowledge, although these are greatly overestimate occupancy within the range (Corsi et al., 2000). Third, the
finest resolution approach is to compile point data known point occurrences (often supported by museum
or herbarium specimens) of a given species in a given
place at a given time - but uneven sampling is a serious
problem for the assessment of point data (Peterson et
al., 1998; Peterson and Watson, 1998). These sampling
problems can be reduced by development of inductive
range models (Peterson et al., 2002) or the establishment of grid based sampling systems to produce atlas
data (Udvardy, 1975). Data limitations mean that it has
not yet been possible to use these latter two approaches across entire taxonomic groups, worldwide.
The distribution of threatened species is summarized according to following predetermined geographic classifications:
- Countries: The richness of threatened species per
country is useful to give context as a coarse measure of threats to biodiversity, but is heavily conflated by area (Balmford and Long, 1995) and driven
by the occurrence of widespread species (Lennon
et al., 2004). Dividing threatened species richness
by total numbers of species per country does give a
useful measure of relative threat to a nation's biodiversity. The presentation of threatened species
occurrences by country is also useful in providing a
crosscheck to national Red Lists, and vice versa
(Hilton-Taylor et al., 2000; Rodriguez et al., 2000),
given the important implications of these for
national conservation policy. Particularly, informative are the numbers of threatened species endemic
to each country, because they can guide a "doctrine
of ultimate responsibility" for each nation's contribution to global biological heritage (Mittermeier et
al., 1998).
- Ecological Systems: The most straightforward
framework for assessing the ecological distributions of threatened species is to divide the planet's
surface into three systems: terrestrial, freshwater,
and marine. This classification is complicated by
126
those species that live in the interface between systems and those that live in multiple systems. These
are a small proportion of species overall, however most species occur only in one of the three ecological systems.
- Biogeographic Realms: Biogeographic realms are
the eight continent-scale terrestrial and freshwater
regions distinguished by characteristic biota that
reflect shared evolutionary histories, these are: the
Neotropical, Afrotropical, Indomalayan, Australasian, Palearctic, Nearctic, Antarctic and Oceanic.
- Biomes: At a finer scale, it is possible to assess the
distributions of threatened species across biomes.
Biomes represent global scale variation in the
structure, dynamics and complexity of terrestrial
and freshwater communities and ecosystems that
are driven by key global-scale patterns such as temperature and precipitation. Olson et al. (2001) identified 14 biomes worldwide: Tropical/Subtropical
Moist Broadleaf Forest; Tropical/Subtropical Dry
Broadleaf Forest, Tropical/Subtropical Grassland,
Savanna and Shrubland, Montane Grassland and
Shrubland, and Desert and Xeric Shrubland all hold
moderately large numbers of species and threatened species for all taxa. The high-latitude biomes
of Boreal Forests/Taiga and Tundra hold very few
species, and even the Mediterranean Forest,
Woodland and Scrub are remarkably poor.
- Habitats: The finest ecological scale at which one
can assess the distribution of threatened species is
the scale of habitats, and, indeed, coding species up
to their habitat preferences is part of the required
documentation in the Red List assessment process
(IUCN, 2001).
As the spatial resolution of data on the geographic distributions of threatened species increases, so does
the utility of these data for conservation, but, unfortunately, the effort required to compile the data does as
well. Nevertheless, the world's museums and herbaria
represent a vast storehouse of such fine-scale geographic biodiversity data, and a number of initiatives
are underway that suggest that these data will become
increasingly available in the future. This said, synthesis of the numerous point data already available not
only provides much finer resolution insight into the
distribution of threatened species, but also provides a
basis for establishing targets for site-scale conservation
actions on the ground. The effort necessary to compile
such data means that we are a long way from being
able to show localities globally for all threatened
species across multiple taxa. It is now possible to map
localities for all threatened species within an individual
taxon continentally, and at a finer, regional scale, to
map localities for all threatened species in the region of
interest.
Mapping in the framework of this project will be
done for two purposes. To identify the area of distribution of studied species in the region and to determine
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
METHODOLOGY
IUCN categories of them on the base of quantitative
analyses of frequency of their occurrence in the country. Our proposal is to use the database-driven cartography approach for the development of all required
floristic maps. This approach means that the development of geo-databases of the crop plants and rare plant
species that have medicinal/decorative properties
should take place first. Database-oriented approach
simplifies and facilitates the generation and maintenance of the product and ensures the data consistency.
The database can be used later for multiple cartographic products by employing different symbol schemas.
The lists of digital maps and charts produced will be
easy to modify. Main advantage of the proposed
approach is flexibility in choosing the content and
structure of hard and softcopy outputs. Traditional
floristic maps have been produced manually without
following standardized requirements for the map contents and layout. Modern GIS technologies enable a
complete revision of the mapping techniques. Having
the data stored in a database, one can print a copy of
map when it is needed and with a layout adopted to
specific requirements of the user as well as capabilities
of the producer. Any kind of thematic maps can be easily prepared having a well structured and consistent
GIS database available.
We plan to produce following maps:
- Distribution of crop plants and rare plant species
that have medicinal/decorative properties and are
known to be threatened on a global level by anthropogenic stresses and/or impacted by natural hazards will be displayed in the form of paper maps
and digital versions in .tiff or .jpg format.
- Frequency maps will be done for determination of
IUCN categories (Akhalkatsi et al., 2003). Paper
maps and digital versions in .tiff or .jpg format in
UTM grids will be done in 2 scales 5x5 and 10x10
km2. Based on the number of 10x10 km2 UTM
squares inhabited by concrete species on the territory of Georgia, the attempt will be made to give
the status of rare species according to Criteria by
the World Conservation Union (IUCN, 2001). For
listing concrete categories is a number of 10x10
km2 UTM squares as quantitative criteria appropriate for assessing threat levels for any taxon. The
following ratios between the number of 10x10 km2
UTM squares and categories are determined: 1-2,
critically endangered (CR); 3-9, endangered (EN);
10-49, vulnerable (VU); 50-99, near threatened
(NT); >100, least concern (LC). At the same time,
the size of populations and stability of their habitats
have been considered. 5x5 km2 maps will be prepared only for Samtskhe-Javakheti region for evaluation of resources of each studied species available in the region. The GPS data on species localities will be obtained during the field trips undertaken in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region and from the
herbaria and the data base of GSNE "Orchis" when
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
the distribution along the country should be incorporated.
Basic topographic information (hydrographs,
roads, railways, settlements, etc.) will be presented by
topographical maps, which will be used as a background for printed maps.
8.3. Methods of Inventory of Medicinal Plant
Species
The aim of inventory is to provide an indication of
the number and diversity of medicinal plant species in
the Samtskhe-Javakheti region. Inventory will be done
of the species included in existing short list of rare
plant species that have medicinal/decorative properties
and are known to be threatened on a global level by
anthropogenic stresses and/or impacted by natural hazards in the region, on the bases of quantitative evaluation of threat levels according to literature data. The
short list composed mainly on the base of Red Data
Book of Georgia needs to be revised using data, which
will be collected during field trips. Quantitative evaluation will be used for determination of threat levels of
separate plant species included in the short list. Species
overall status and threats on the country and global levels will be determined using methodology provided in
IUCN Red List Guidlinece (2001, 2003, 2004) for
determination of IUCN categories and criteria and
information indicated in International Conventions,
such as Biodiversity, Desertification, Climate Change,
and Conservation of Wetlands. As well as lists of
CITES (The Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of the Wild Fauna and Flora) and,
Environmental Laws of Georgia. Analyses and collection of phytosociological data on vegetation of
Samtskhe-Javakheti region and on species characteristics of the short listed plants will be done on the base
of accepted phytosociological methods (BraunBlanquet, 1964; Tüxen, 1970; Dierschke, 1994).
8.3.1. Data collection
The approach suggests collection of quantitative
data on species abundance, genetic diversity and overall status (vitality and fertility). The investigation will
be carried out using methods of plot recording. For this
purpose three 1m2 plots will be chosen within each
population of high conservation value herbaceous
species. In case of shrubs, trees or other life forms different sizes of plots will be used. The sizes of plots are
shown in the Table 3 according to R. Tüxen, (1970):
Preference is given to the square shape of the
recording plots. GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates of each plot will be recorded. For the purpose
of delimitation of plot surfaces, frame and tape are
used for 1m2 plots. The time of inventory will be coincided to two phenological phases in each population at
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METHODOLOGY
Table 3. Area (m2) of Permanent Plots for Different
Habitats
N
1
2
3
4
Size (m2)
1
4
25
100
Habitat type
Meadows
Wetland
Scrub
Forest
flowering and fruiting stages. For each plot, photos
will be taken from fixed points during each visit. The
following table is developed for recording the data for
each recording plot (Table 4).
During the field studies, the following data have
to be collected:
1. Data for documentation of the record: target
species name, plot No., population no., figure(s), ref.
Map, date of field data collection. Majority of plant
Latin names given in this report are in accordance with
Cherepanov (1995) and II edition of Flora of Georgia;
nomenclature of representatives of family Orchidaceae
follows Akhalkatsi et al. (2003).
2. Environmental data:
- Size (m2) of entire population of target species;
-
Total number of individuals of target species in the
plot;
Location, exact GPS coordinates, altitude and slop-
Table 4. Data on species inventory for 1m2 plot
Target species
Plot No., Population no.
Figure(s) ref.
Map
Date of field data collection
Environmental Data
Population size (m2)
Number of plants
Plot size (m2)
Location
GPS Coordinates (UTM)
Altitude (m a.s.l.)
Aspect
Inclination
Coverge (%)
Canopy height (cm)
Habitat
Existing habitat disturbances
Population Characteristics
Number of individuals in plot
Vitality and fertility
Sociability
Pattern
Genetic diversity
Hybridization
-
ing characters (inclination, exposition);
Vegetation cover (%) and canopy height (cm);
Habitat type and description of existing disturbances. The following grades will be used to identify level of modification/disturbance of communities found within the plots:
1. Relatively stable or undisturbed communities.
Example: old growth, ungrazed forest.
2. Late successional or lightly disturbed communities. Example: old growth forest that was selectively logged in recent years.
3. Mid-successional or moderately to heavily
128
disturbed communities. Example: young to mature
secondgrowth forest.
4. Early successional or severely disturbed communities. Example: severely grazed forest of any
age.
5. Very early successional or very severely disturbed communities. Example: cropland.
3. Population characteristics:
1.
Numbers of individuals of target species
within the plot; Number of individuals is calculated
within the frame boundary in each plot. In case of polycormel species it is possible to calculate each shoot
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
METHODOLOGY
instead of individuals.
2.
Sociability will be measured as an expression of horizontal pattern of the species and degree of
clustering (contagion) of the plant units (in our caseindividuals) of a species. In accordance with floristicsociological approach of Braun-Blanquet (1964),
sociability has been estimated with the following scale:
1-growing solitary, singly;
2-growing in small groups of a few individuals;
3-growing in small patches;
4-growing in extensive patches;
5-growing in great crowds.
3. Vitality and fertility; Vitality and fertility, representing plant vegetative and generative development
respectively, are important parameters of the species'
performance. Vitality and fertility of target populations
will be measured using a scale of relative "thriving"
with four categories developed by Braun-Blanquet
(1964):
1- well developed, regularly completing the life
cycle;
2-with vegetative propagation but not completing
the life cycle;
3-feeble with low vegetative propagation, not completing the life cycle;
4-occasionally germinating but not vegetative
propagating.
4. Distribution pattern: The pattern or the manners
in which the individuals of a given species are distributed within a plot have been recorded. Clustered, random, regular patterns and their transitional variants
exhibited by individuals of different species have been
identified within the permanent plots.
5. Genetic diversity: Genetic diversity will be
observed as phenotipic modification of individuals
within the population and recorded;
6. Hybridization: Hybridization will be recorded
in case if the individuals of target species will reveal
intermediate morphological features.
In addition, for development of long term in situ
conservation management needs the following indicators for habitats and population protection such as ecological, demographic and genetic indicators representing in Table 5 will be recorded.
8.3.2. Data analyses
The following parameters will be determined on the
base of data collected during field observations:
1. Area of distribution of target species;
2. Number of populations of target species;
3. Total number of individuals of a species in all studied populations;
4. Overall ecological state of target species;
5. Main threats impacted the species;
The data on population and habitat characteristics
will be gained in data base using program MS access.
The complete data base on species inventory will be
used for mapping.
The data obtained during species inventory procedure will be used for mapping of a target species. This
combination, species distribution and population characterization will be used for determination of a species
status according to the criteria of IUCN (2001, 2004).
8.3.3. Creation on Geo-Information System on
Endangered Medicinal Plants in SamtskheJavakheti Region
Geo Information System on endangered medicinal plants in Samtskhe-Javakheti region was created in
the format of "geodatabase" of ArcGIS software.
Objects of database are organized as a thematic electronic layer.
The electronic layer of endangered medicinal
plants in Samtskhe-Javakheti region meets with fol-
Table 5. Environmental indicators and threats
#
1
2
3
Indicator
Ecological indicators:
- Habitat degradation;
- Soil erosion;
- Herbivory;
- Pollution.
Demographic indicators:
- Abundance and spatial distribution
of seedlings;
- Number of adult individuals;
- Number of flowering individuals;
- Spatial distribution.
Threat
Degradation of the environment by external factors where the
population is situated.
Genetic indicators:
- Genetic diversity;
- Differentiation among populations;
- Hybridization.
Reduction in the genetic resilience and, therefore, survival of
the population in the long term perspective.
Decline in the survival of regeneration of the population due
to non-genetic factors (non heritable).
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
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METHODOLOGY
Table 6. Impact factors and their influence on populations
1
2
Impact factor
Impact on the populations
Human-made habitat disturbances:
Population disappearance and fragmentation;
- Road and pipeline constructions:
Species extinction.
Physical impact - removing of the populations;
Chemical impact -pollution by oil and gas releases to air,
water and land.
- Deforestation;
- Land degradation;
- Urbanization;
- Damaged caused by non-native plants and animals introduced
into an area;
- Pollution.
Collection of medicinal/ornamental plants in the wild
Population disappearance;
Species extinction.
3
Grazing
4
Climate change:
- Disturbance of wetland ecosystem;
-
Global warming and desertification;
-
Global warming effect on alpine.
Age structure;
Competition;
Genetic diversity.
Threat for species distributed in the aquatic
habitats.
Threat for species distributed in the extremely
dry areas.
Threat for species distributed in the alpine.
lowing technical specifications:
- Georeferenced topographical maps at a scale
1\50000 are used as a digital background of the
layer
- Projection - UTM
- Datum - WGS 84
- The layer includes 236 objects
- The layer is presented as a point layer
- The objects are arranged in a topologically correct
way towards other geographical objects of the system
- The layer does not include duplications
- The layer does not include extra, useless objects
- The attribute tables of the layer are represented in
English.
The attribute table for each object includes following fields:
- Target species
- Plot No
- Population No
- Figures Reference
- Date of field data collection
- Population Size (m2)
-
Number of Plant
Plot Size (m2)
Coordinate X
Coordinate Y
Altitude m.a.s.l.
Aspect
Location
130
-
Inclination
Coverage (%)
Canopy Height (cm)
Habitat
Existing Habitat Disturbancy
Number of Individuals in Plots
Vitality and Fertility
Sociability
Pattern
Genetic diversity
Hybridization
Linked digital photo of the area of field data collection
- Liked digital photo of the Plant.
Each object is described according to the abovementioned parameters. The system operates with general geo-database and has interactive connection with
digital map.
The Geo-Information System includes following
automatic modules:
- System for additional editing
- Fast search engine
- System for report arrangement
- Analytical module (statistical and geostatistical
analysis).
System for additional editing can be used for further adding and editing of the target information.
Search engine can be used for searching according
to the desirable parameters. By using of mentioned system it is possible to visualize any selected object on the
map and vise versa. The searching is possible by attrib-
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
ute parameters.
System for report arrangement gives possibility to
print out information on desirable objects as a text and
also relevant map fragment.
Analytical module is very important in respect to
statistical analysis of the objects. Besides, it gives possibilities to analyze spatial parameters, in other words
to visualize spatial distribution of particular parameters
of the objects.
Modern GIS technologies enable a complete revision of the mapping techniques. Having the data stored
in a database, one can print a copy of map when it is
needed and with a layout adopted to specific requirements of the user as well as capabilities of the producer.
Database-driven cartography approach for the
development of all required maps was used.
Such approach means that the development of
databases on endangered medicinal plants in
Samtskhe-Javakheti region had taken place first.
Database-oriented approach simplifies and facilitates
the generation and maintenance of the product and
ensures the data consistency.
The database can be used later for multiple cartographic products by employing different symbol
schemas. The lists of digital maps and charts produced
can be easily modified. Main advantage of the proposed approach is flexibility in choosing the content
and structure of hard and softcopy outputs.
Outcomes:
- Geo-Information System on Endangered Medicinal
Plants in Samtskhe-Javakheti Region;
- Raster geo-referenced topographical maps at a
scale 1/ 50 000;
- Vector file of endangered medicinal plants in
Samtskhe-Javakheti region;
- Hardcopy maps.
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
131
8.3.4. Mapping of Endangered Medicinal Plants in
Samtskhe-Javakheti Region
INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
9. Inventory of Medicinal Plants
Monitoring on resources and population status has been conducted in Samtskhe-Javakheti region in different
seasons of 2005-2006. Populations of most species from the short list of target medicinal plants have been evaluated on the field, the results are analysed and the data are presented below.
9.1. Althaea L. (Malvaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: There are 3 of total 4 species of Althaea occurring in Georgia
-Althaea armeniaca Ten., A. hirsuta L., A. officinalis L.
Target species: A. armeniaca and A. officinalis.
General characteristics: A. armeniaca is rare ornamental plant growing in wetlands and moist meadows. It
is perennial growing to 2m by 1.70m. It is in flower from July to August, seeds ripen from August to September.
3 populations have been found in Meskheti.
A. officinalis grows in cultivated beds in house gardens, rarely naturalized. It is in flower from July to
September, seeds ripen from August to October. We have found one population naturalized.
Both species prefer light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and
basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil. Only
one naturalized population has been found in Meskheti, near Monastery Safara.
Habitat characteristics: We describe only populations of A. armeniaca (Paa), however in the database is
information on A. officinalis.
Tab. 7. Physical characteristics, GPS coordinates in UTM-grids, slope inclination, exposition, elevation,
canopy height and plant cover percentage in the populations of A. armeniaca.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Paa1
Paa2
V. Naokhari, Akhaltsikhe
Between vv. Minadze and
Atskuri, right bank of R.
Mtkvari
"-"
320940 4607872
340657 4611826
342135 4612042
Paa3
Elevation (m)
NW, 1°
S, 5°
Cover%
and canopy
height (cm)
100 , 150
100 , 180
S, 5°
100 , 180
1147
1120
1062
Population characteristics: The characteristics of the population were determined. The number of individuals was determined in three plots of each population, which is indicated in the data base and was used for determination of total number of individuals in the entire area of the distribution of the population.
Tab.8 Population characteristics - plant community type with indication of dominant and characteristic species, total size of population, total number of individuals in the population, spatial structure, sociability, vitality and fertility, threats and disturbance level
for 3 populations of A. armeniaca (Paa).
Population
Plant community
Paa 1
Sedge wetland withPhragmites australis,
Dactylis glomerata,
Epilobium hirsutum,
Trifolium fragiferum,
Mentha aquatica, Ononis
arvensis, Arctium lappa
132
Population
size m2
5
No of
individuals
Spatial structure,
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility, Disturbance
10
Regular, 1
1; 3
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Sedge wetland withPaa 2
Paa 3
Phragmites australis,
Dactylis glomerata,
Lolium perenne,
Epilobium hirsutum,
Artemisia absithium,
Rosa canina,
Asparagus officinalis
“------------------”
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
1000
600
Regular, 1
1; 3
100
200
Regular, 1
1; 3
1105
810
Medicinal Uses: It is Antitussive; Demulcent; Diuretic; Emollient; Laxative.
Both species, but especially A. officinalis are a very useful household medicinal herbs. Its soothing demulcent properties make it very effective in treating inflammations and irritations of the mucous membranes such as
the alimentary canal, the urinary and the respiratory organs (Chevallier, 1996). The root counters excess stomach
acid, peptic ulceration and gastritis (Chevallier, 1996). It is also applied externally to bruises, sprains, aching muscles, insect bites, skin inflammations, splinters etc. (Bown, 1995). An infusion of the leaves is used to treat cystitis and frequent urination (Chevallier, 1996). The leaves are harvested in August when the plant is just coming
into flower and can be dried for later use (Grieve, 1984). The root can be used in an ointment for treating boils
and abscesses (Chevallier, 1996). The root is best harvested in the autumn, preferably from 2 year old plants, and
is dried for later use (Bown, 1995).
Edible Uses: Leaves and roots are used as tea. The root is used as a vegetable (Grieve, 1984). It contains
about 37% starch, 11% mucilage, 11% pectin (Chevallier, 1996).
Other Uses: Adhesive; Fiber; Oil; Teeth.
The dried root is used as a toothbrush or is chewed by teething children. It has a mechanical affect on the
gums whilst also helping to ease the pain. The root is also used as a cosmetic, helping to soften the skin. A fiber
from the stem and roots is used in paper-making. The dried and powdered root has been used to bind the active
ingredients when making pills for medicinal use (Stuart , 1979).
Cultivation details: Marsh mallow is often cultivated in the house garden, as a culinary and medicinal herb
as well as for ornament. Succeeds in almost any soil and conditions (Grieve, 1984), though it prefers a rich moist
soil in a sunny position. It also tolerates fairly dry soil conditions. Plants are hardy to about -25°C.
Propagation: Seed - sow spring or autumn in individual pots. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in
October. The germination is often erratic (Bown, 1995). Stratification can improve germination rates and time.
Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. It is best to put
them in lightly shaded position until plant them out into their permanent positions.
Threat: Habitat degradation, climate change.
Protection measure: Cultivation, establishment of managed reserves.
9.2. Colchicum L. (Liliaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: 3 of 4 species distributed in Georgia are found in SamtskheJavakheti - Colchicum szovitsii Fisch. &C.A. Mey., C. umbrosum Steven, C. speciosum Steven. C. szovitsii is
flowering in the spring; C. umbrosum and C. speciosum are flowering in autumn.
Target species: C. speciosum Steven, 7 populations are found in Meskheti and Javakheti.
General characteristics: It is grown in subalpine meadows on sunny sites. It is in flower from September
to October. Seeds ripen underground in a bulb. Fruit and leaves appear next year in March and seed dispersal takes
place in June-July. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires welldrained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland)
or no shade. It requires moist soil.
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Tab. 9. Habitat characteristics: Populations of C. speciosum (Pcs) are found in different mountain systems of Meskheti and in
Tetrobi Plateau.
Population
Location
Pcs1
Pcs2
Goderdzi Pass, Adigeni distr
299107
Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani,
321479
Adigeni distr.
Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani,
321784
Adigeni distr.
Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani,
321530
Adigeni distr.
Mt. Erbo, Shavsheti range,
303986
Adigeni distr., above v. Lelovani
Tetrobi Plateau,
367985
Akhalkalaki distr.
Between v. Ota and Kodiana, 364690
Aspindza distr.
Pcs3
Pcs4
Pcs5
Pcs6
Pcs7
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover
% and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
4612559
4631221
E, 30°
NW, 5°
40 , 15
80, 10
1642
1890
4632302
NE, 10
90, 5
2043
4631719
NW, 15
85, 10
1983
4609558
NE, 2
100, 5
2226
4606725
E, 5
100, 25
1977
4611630
SW, 5
100,12
1815
Tab. 10. Population characteristics: Populations of C. speciosum (Pcs) are described in fruiting period from May till July.
Population
Pcs 1
Pcs 2
Pcs 3
Pcs 4
Pcs 5
Pcs 6
Pcs 7
Plant community
Forest edge with- Picea orientalis,
Carpinus betulus, Primula
woronowii, Dactylorhiza romana ssp.
georgica
Mixed forest with - Pinus kochiana,
Fagus orientalis, Carpinus betulus,
Quercus iberica, Corylus avellana
Subalpine meadow with - Anemone
fasciculata, Geranium ibericum,
Scabiosa caucasica, Senecio rhombifolius etc.
Mixed forest with -Pinus kochiana,
Fagus orientalis, Carpinus betulus,
Quercus iberica, Corylus avellana
Alpine meadow withNardus stricta, Poa pratensis,
Alchemilla caucasica, Leontodon
hispidus
Subalpine meadow with- Carex
humilis, Dactylis glomerata, Poa
pratensis, Trifolium pratensis,
Dactylorhiza euxina, Lilium szovitsianum, Allium vineale
Mixed forest with-Pinus kochiana,
Fagus orientalis, Carpinus betulus,
Quercus iberica, Pyrus caucasica,
Corylus avellana, Gentiana cruciata
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
134
Population
size m2
No of
Spatial structure,
individuals
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
300
1000
Clustered, 2
2; 2
50
200
Clustered, 2
2; 1
1000000
5000
Clustered, 2
2; 4
350
1000
Clustered, 2
2; 1
500
1000
Clustered, 2
1; 4
10
10
Clustered, 2
1; 1
5
5
Clustered, 2
1; 3
1001215
8215
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Medicinal Uses: Analgetic; Antirheumatic; Cathartic; Emetic; Homeopathy. Naked Ladies was considered
too poisonous to use medicinally in the ancient time and it was not until research in the 18th century that the plant
was discovered to be of value in the treatment of gout (Stuart, 1979). In modern herbalism it is still used to relieve
the pain and inflammation of acute gout and rheumatism, although frequent use has been known to encourage
more frequent attacks of the complaint (Stuart, 1979). Both the corm and the seeds are analgesic, antirheumatic,
cathartic and emetic (Grieve, 1984). Leukemia has been successfully treated with Naked Ladies, and the plant has
also been used with some success to treat Bechet's syndrome, a chronic disease marked by recurring ulcers and
leukemia (Chevallier, 1996). The seeds are harvested in early summer, the corms in mid to late summer when the
plant has fully died down. The fresh bulb is used to make a homeopathic remedy.
Edible Uses: none
Other Uses: Plant breeding.
The poisonous alkaloid "colchicines" is extracted from this plant and used to alter the genetic make-up of plants
in an attempt to find new, improved varieties (Polunin, 1969). It works by doubling the chromosome number.
Cultivation details: Prefers a rich well-drained loam in a sunny position. Tolerates partial shade but dislikes
dry soils. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.5 to 7.5. Plants are hardy to about -20°C (Huxley, 1992). The dormant
bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°C (Matthews, 1994). The Naked
Ladies is easily grown in grass and can be naturalized there. It also grows well amongst shrubs and by woodland
edges. Plant the corms about 7 - 10 cm deep in July. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies.
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early summer in a seed bed (Bird, 1990). Germination
can be very slow, taking up to 18 months at 15°C. It is best to sow the seed thinly so that it is not necessary to
transplant the seedlings for their first year of growth. Apply a liquid fertilizer during their first summer, however,
to ensure they get sufficient nourishment. Prick out the seedlings once they are dormant, putting perhaps 2 plants
per pot, and grow them on in a greenhouse or frame for at least a couple of years. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant. The seedlings take 4 - 5 years to reach flowering size. Division of the
bulbs in June/July when the leaves have died down. Larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent
positions, though it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out. The plant can be divided every other year if a quick increase is required.
Threat: Habitat degradation, collected in the wild for medicinal purpose and for flower market.
Protection measure: Cultivation, establishment of managed reserves, insertion in the RDB Georgia.
9.3. Daphne L. (Thymelaeaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: Daphne transcaucasica Pobed. (D. oleoides auct.) is found in
Meskheti and Tetrobi Plateau in Javakheti, where we have seen it in fruiting stage. D. pontica L. is found on the
boundary of Meskheti and Adjara. It is considered as synonym of such rare species of Daphne as D. pseudosericea
Pobed. and D. albowiana Woronow ex Pobed. attaned EN category of IUCN according to recent survey. Another
Caucasian endemic is D. axilliflora (Keissl.) Pobed. (D. caucasica Pall. var. axilliflora Keissl.) found in Meskheti.
Two more species D. glomerata Lam. and D. mezereum L. are more widespread, but these species have medicinal use in folk's medicine. Especially valualable features have D. mezereum.
Target species: We studied 3 populations of D. glomerata, which is outstanding of high decorative properties.
General characteristics: Grows in treeline ecotone among Rhododendron bushes. An evergreen shrub
growing to 0.3m by 0.15m at a medium rate. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from July to
August. The plant prefers medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. It prefers acid,
neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil.
Tab. 11. Habitat characteristics: Populations of D. glomerata (Pdg) are located at treeline ecotone only on northern facing slopes.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Pdg1
Mt. Erbo, Shavsheti range,
Adigeni distr.,
above v. Lelovani
Tetrobi Plateau,
Akhalkalaki distr.
Mt. Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr.
305171
4611599
N, 20
80, 15
2180
365742
4607924
NE, 15
50, 15
2237
326716
4602266
N, 12
70, 15
2226
Pdg2
Pdg3
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INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Tab. 12. Population characteristics: Populations of D. glomerata (Pdg) were monitored in July during early seeding phase.
Population
Pdg 1
Pdg 2
Pdg 3
Plant community
Subalpine shrubland with Rhododendron caucasicum, Vaccinium
myrtillus, Festuca woronowii, Gentiana
septemfida, Juniperus communis
Limestone rock with- Pinus kochiana,
Poa pratensis, Festuca ovina,
F. woronowii, Trisetum rigidum,
Sempervivum sosnowskyi, Daphne glomerata, Juniperus communis
Subalpine shrubland with Rhododendron caucasicum, Vaccinium
uliginosum, V. myrtillus, Agrostis tenuifolia, Anthoxantum alpinum, Avenella montana
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
Population No of
Spatial structure,
Sociability
size m2 individuals
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
1000000
6000
Clustered, 3
1; 2
300
200
Clustered, 3
2; 2
1000000
500
Clustered, 3
2; 3
1100300
6700
Medicinal Uses: medicinal use is investigated for D. mezereum , but there is no information on use in folk
medicine of D. glomerata . D. mezereum is very effective against Cancer; Cathartic; Diuretic; Emetic;
Homeopathy; Rubefacient; Stimulant; Vesicant.
Mezereum has been used in the past for treating rheumatism and indolent ulcers, but because of its toxic
nature it is no longer considered to be safe (Bown, 1995). The plant contains various toxic compounds, including
daphnetoxin and mezerein, and these are currently being investigated for their anti-leukaemia effects (Bown,
1995). The bark is cathartic, diuretic, emetic, rubefacient, stimulant and vesicant. The root bark is the most active
medically, but the stem bark is also used (Grieve, 1984). It has been used in an ointment to induce discharge in
indolent ulcers and also has a beneficial effect upon rheumatic joints. The bark is not usually taken internally and
even when used externally this should be done with extreme caution and not applied if the skin is broken. The
bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The fruits have sometimes been used as a purgative. A
homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of various skin complaints and inflammations.
Edible Uses: None known.
Other Uses: Dye; Oil. A yellow to greenish-brown dye is obtained from the leaves, fruit and bark of different species of Daphne. The seed contains up to 31% of a fatty oil.
Cultivation details: A good sandy loam suits most members of this genus. Prefers a good heavy soil and
some shade. Prefers a calcareous soil and cool moist conditions. There is no evidence to suggest it requires a calcareous soil, but all members of this genus do well on acid soils. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to about 30°C. Plants tend to be short-lived in cultivation, probably due to excessive seed bearing. Plants are resentful of
root disturbance and should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible. They also resent being
cut and so should not be pruned unless it is essential. A good bee plant, providing a source of nectar very early in
the year. The flowers have a delicious sweet perfume.
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe with the pot sealed in a polythene bag
to hold in the moisture. Remove this bag as soon as germination takes place (Bird, 1990). The seed usually germinates better if it is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it dries on the plant) and sown
immediately. Germination should normally take place by spring, though it sometimes takes a further year. Stored
seed is more problematic. It should be warm stratified for 8 - 12 weeks at 20°C followed by 12 - 14 weeks at 3°C.
Germination may still take another 12 months or more at 15°C. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon
as they are large enough to handle. Grow the plants on in the greenhouse for their first winter and then plant out
in spring after the last expected frosts.
Threat: Habitat degradation, climate change.
Protection measure: Establishment of managed reserves.
136
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
9.4. Digitalis L. (Scrophulariaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: Only one species of Foxglove is distributed in Meskheti and
Javakheti - Digitalis ferruginea L.
Target species: D. ferruginea L.
General characteristics: It is grown in forest openings, under trees in forest edges. Biennial/Perennial growing to 1.2m by 0.4m. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in September. The plant prefers light (sandy),
medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in
semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Tab. 13. Habitat characteristics: Populations of D. ferruginea (Pdf) are not numerous, scattered over big territory, but
occupy just small spots in similar habitat.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Pdf1
Pdf2
V. Abastumani, Adigeni distr.,
V. Abastumani, Zekari Pass,
Adigeni distr.
Tetrobi Plateau,
Akhalkalaki distr.
Mt. Abi, near v. Anda
Between vv. Mokhe and
Dertseli, Adigeni distr.
Goderdzi Pass, Adigeni distr.
Between v. Ota and Shoreti,
Aspindza distr.
Between v. Ota and Kodiana,
Aspindza distr.
Between v. Ota and Kodiana,
Aspindza distr.
Near Closter Chule,
Adigeni distr.
320285
322168
4622116
4632241
W, 25
SE, 25
70, 15
80, 20
1045
2035
366986
4607167
N, 5
100, 50
2087
332350
300567
4603788
4619562
N, 8
SE, 10
50, 30
40, 150
1805
1423
297723
359970
4611645
4609035
E, 40
NW, 10
30, 35
60, 40
1820
1450
361693
4609648
SW, 5
70, 50
1460
364688
4611646
SW, 5
70, 50
1821
308867
4619030
W, 5
50, 50
1323
Pdf3
Pdf4
Pdf5
Pdf6
Pdf7
Pdf8
Pdf9
Pdf10
Tab. 14. Population characteristics: Populations of D. ferruginea have been monitored during July-September in flowering and fruiting stages.
Population
Pdf 1
Pdf 2
Pdf 3
Pdf 4
Pdf 5
Pdf 6
Plant community
Forest edge with - Pinus kochiana, Poa
pratensis, Agrostis planifolia, Origanum vulgare, Cirsium sp., Achillea millefolium,
Medicago minima, Euphorbia iberica
Subalpine meadow with - Poa pratensis,
Bromopsis variegata, Dactylis glomerata,
Agrostis planifolia, Phleum pratense,
Origanum vulgare, Verbascum pyramidatum
Pine forest with - Pinus kochiana,
Calamagrostis arundinacea, Brachypodium
sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Trisetum
flavescens, Cephalaria gigantea
Forest edge with - Picea orientalis, Carpinus
betulus, Corylus avellana, Phleum pratense,
Trisetum flavescens, Trifolium ambiguum,
Achillea caucasica
Oak forest with - Quercus iberica, Carpinus
orientalis, Malus orientalis, Pyrus cauacsica,
Daphne mezereum, Gentiana cruciata
Population
No of
individuals
size m2
Spatial structure,
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility, Distur
bance
300
20
Random, 1
1;4
300
50
Random, 1
1;4
50
15
Random, 1
1;2
5
10
Random, 1
1; 4
10000
15
Random, 1
1; 2
50
20
Random, 1
2; 5
Road side with - Poa pratensis, Cirsium
arvense, Plantago lanceolata, Silene compacta, etc.
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INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Pdf 7
Pdf 8
Pdf 9
Pdf 10
Forest edge with - Picea orientalis,
Quercus iberica, Populus tremula,
Carpinus betulus, Rubus idaeus,
Lavatera thuringiaca, Paeonia caucasica
Mixed forest with - Pinus kochiana,
Fagus orientalis, Carpinus betulus,
Quercus iberica, Pyrus caucasica,
Corylus avellana, Gentiana cruciata
Mixed forest with - Pinus kochiana,
Fagus orientalis, Carpinus betulus,
Quercus iberica, Pyrus caucasica,
Corylus avellana, Gentiana cruciata
Riparian forest with - Alnus barbata,
Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior,
Picea orientalis, Acer campestre
150
50
Random, 1
1; 3
50
10
Random, 1
1; 3
5
5
Random, 1
1; 3
100
30
Random, 1
1; 3
11010
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
225
Medicinal Uses: Cardiac; Stimulant; Tonic.
The leaves are cardiac, stimulant and tonic (Uphof, 1959). They are often used in the treatment of certain
heart complaints.
Edible Uses: None known
Other Uses: It contains digitoxin or digoxin, which is source of cardiac stimulant medicine produced industrially
Cultivation details: An easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil, especially if it is rich in
organic matter. It also succeeds in dry soils and, once established, is drought tolerant. It prefers semi-shade but
succeeds in full sun if the soil is moist. Plants are hardy to about -15°C. This species is a short-lived perennial and
is best grown as a biennial. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer and rabbits.
Propagation: Seed - surface sow early spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at
20°C. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the
summer. Another report says that the seed is best sown in the autumn.
Threat: Grazing, habitat degradation, collected in the wild for medicinal purpose.
Protection measure: Cultivation, insertion in the RDB Georgia.
9.5. Ephedra L. (Ephedraceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: Tere are only two species of Ephedra in Georgia - E. procera
Fisch. & C.A. Mey. and . E. distachya L. Only one - E. procera is distributed in Meskheti.
Target species: E. procera Fisch. & C.a. Mey.
General characteristics: An evergreen shrub growing to 1.8m. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to
July. The flowers are dioecious (individual gametophyte are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found
on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). The plant not is selffertile.
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid,
neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Tab.15. Habitat characteristics: Populations of E. procera (Pep) are found mainly in Aspindza and Akhaltsikhe districts on
dry rocky slopes with xerophytes.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Pep1
R. Mtkvari gorge, road to
Vardzia, in opposite to
Khertvisi fortress
R. Mtkvari gorge, between
v. Rustavi and v. Minadze
R. Paravani gorge, road from
355402
4594255
W, 15
70, 150
1130
340545
4608116
W, 20
60, 100
976
357193
4593683
S, 10
60, 120
1230
Pep2
Pep3
138
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
v. Khertvisi to Akhalkalaki
Between vv. Aspindza and
Ota, on fortress wall
Akhaltsikhe, along railway
Pep4
Pep5
354405
4604486
W, 90
100, 60
1144
330763
4611926
E, 40
50, 70
956
Tab. 16. Population characteristics: Populations of E. procera (Pep) were monitored in May.
Population
Pep1
Pep 2
Pep 3
Pep 4
Pep 5
Plant community
Shibliak with - Paliurus spinachristi, Rhamnus pallasii, Spiraea
hypericifolia, Prunus armeniaca
Shibliak with - Paliurus spinachristi, Rhamnus pallasii, Spiraea
hypericifolia
Shibliak with - Paliurus spinachristi, Rhamnus pallasii, Spiraea
hypericifolia, Prunus armeniaca
Fortress wall from stones and calcareous solution
Dry rocky slope with - Rhamnus
pallasii, Lolium perenne, Sedum
caucasicum, Artemisia absinthium
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
Population
size m2
No of
Spatial structure,
individuals
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
10000000
4000
Clustered, 4
1;2
500
40
Clustered, 4
1;2
300000
1000
Clustered, 4
1;2
5
5
Regular, 4
1; 5
50000
100
Regular, 4
1; 3
10350505
5145
Medicinal Uses: Depurative; Diuretic. The stems of most members of this genus contain the alkaloid
ephedrine and are valuable in the treatment of asthma and many other complaints of the respiratory system. The
stems are depurative and diuretic (Uphof, 1959). The whole plant can be used at much lower concentrations than
the isolated constituents. Unlike using the isolated ephedrine, using the whole plant rarely gives rise to side-effects
(Chevallier, 1996). The stems can be used fresh or dried and are usually made into a tea, though they can also be
eaten raw. The young stems are best if eating them raw, though older stems can be used if a tea is made. The stems
can be harvested at any time of the year and are dried for later use.
Edible Uses: Seeds - raw.
Other Uses: Plants can be used for ground greening, spaced about 60cm apart each way.
Cultivation details: Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position. Established plants are drought
resistant and are also lime tolerant (Huxley, 1992). One report says that this species is frost-tender, but this is not
our experience. Plants are dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse (Huxley, 1992). It can also
be sown in spring in a greenhouse in sandy compost. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they
are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in the spring
or early summer after the last expected frosts and give some protection in their first winter.
Threat: Local population periodically collects big amount of green mass for private pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Protection measure: Cultivation, establishment of managed reserves.
9.6. Gagea Salisb. (Liliaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: Caucasian endemic species is described for Javakheti - Gagea
alexeenkoana Miscz. We have found another Caucasian endemic in Meskheti - G. chanae Grossh. More widespread species G. anisanthos K. Koch is found both in Meskheti and Javakheti.
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
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Target species: G. chanae Grossh.
General characteristics: It grows on dry slopes with arid vegetation. Bulb growing to 0.03m. It is in flower
from March to April. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers
acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist
soil.
Tab.17. Habitat characteristics: Populations of G. chanae (Pgc) are found on very dry slopes of hills with ephemeral vegetation, where in summer we have almost naked soil surface.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Pgc1
Road from Akhaltsikhe
to Atskuri
Road from Aspindza to v. Ota
Hills near v. Arali,
Adigeni distr.
339246
4616555
SE, 25
85, 3
949
356235
319907
4607075
4613056
E, 10
S, 15
80, 3
20, 3
1178
1126
Pgc2
Pgc3
Tab. 18. Population characteristics: Populations of G. chanae (Pgc) were monitored in March and April during flowering
and fruiting.
Population
Pgc 1
Pgc 2
Pgc 3
Plant community
Shibliak with - Juniperus communis, Astracantha microcephala,
Crataegus monogyna,
Acantholimon armenum
Shibliak with - Juniperus communis, Astracantha microcephala,
Rosa canina, Acantholimon
armenum, Festuca ovina
Dry slope withAchillea micrantha, A. millefolium,
Festuca valesiaca, Koeleria
macrantha, Poa pratensis
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
Population
size m2
No of
Spatial structure,
individuals
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
50
700
Random, 2
1; 3
100
500
Random, 2
1; 3
250
40
Random, 2
1; 3
400
1240
Medicinal Uses: In folk medicine is used as diuretic.
Edible Uses: Edible plant in many countries.leaves and roots are cooked. A famine food, it is only used in
times of scarcity. Young leaves - cooked.
Other Uses: None known.
Cultivation details: Requires a moist soil, preferring one on the alkaline side of neutral, and succeeding in
sun or shade. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -10°C.
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Sow the seed thinly so that there is no need to transplant
them, and grow the seedlings on in the same pot in the greenhouse for their first year or two. Give an occasional
liquid feed to ensure they do not become nutrient deficient. Pot up the small bulbs when the plants are dormant,
placing 2 - 3 bulbs in each pot. Grow them on for another year or two in the greenhouse before planting them out
when they are dormant.
Threat: Habitat degradation, grazing, collection for export.
Protection measure: Insertion in the RDB Georgia.
9.7. Galanthus L. (Amaryllidaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: According to literature and herbarium data there are no
140
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INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Snowdrop species in Samtskhe-Javakheti. But, we have found 3 small populations of Galanthus alpinus Sosn.
near Atskuri adjoining to Borjomi district, where it is abundant. More abundant population of this species were
found on Zekari Pass in Adjara-Imereti Range. However, it was located in Imereti, outside of Samtskhe-Javakheti
region. According to local population it is to found in Shavsheti range, Mt. Erbo, Persati range and Mt. Chechla.
However, we did not find this populations.
Target species: Galanthus alpinus Sosn. Georgian endemic, RDB USSR, CITES, IUCN, ornamental.
General characteristics: Bulb growing to 0.2m by 0.08m. It is in flower in February-March. Seeds mature
in June. After this aboveground part dries and bulb overwinters underground, where in September-November is
formed flower primordium. Leaves and flowers appear in January almost simultaneously. The seeds ripen from
May to June.
Tab. 19. Habitat characteristics: Populations of G. alpinus (Pga) were found on river bank in oak forest.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Pga1
v.Tsriokhi, Tsriokhistskali
gorge
v.Tsriokhi, Tsriokhistskali
gorge
Trail from Atskuri youth
camp to Borjomi-Kharagauli
National Park
344716
4621938
S, 1
10, 15
1026
344685
4622018
W, 15
15, 10
1053
348442
4623374
25
15, 15
928
Pga2
Pga3
Tab.20. Population characteristics: Populations of G. alpinus (Pga) were monitored in March during flowering stage.
Population
Pga 1
Pga 2
Pga 3
Plant community
Oak forest with - Quercus iberica,
Carpinus orientalis, Malus orientalis,
Picea orientalis, Pinus kochiana
Oak forest with - Quercus iberica,
Carpinus orientalis, Malus orientalis,
Picea orientalis, Pinus kochiana
Oak forest with - Quercus iberica,
Carpinus orientalis, Malus orientalis,
Picea orientalis, Pinus kochiana
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
Population
No of
size m2 individuals
Spatial structure,
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
10
50
Clustered, 2
2; 2
10
20
Clustered, 2
2; 2
10
15
Clustered, 2
2; 1
30
85
Medicinal Uses: Contains alkaloids tazettin, galanthamine and lycorin. Galanthamin is used in pharmaceutical industry for treatment of poliomyelitis and disease of the central nervous system. Lycorin is used for bronchitis and other lung disease.
Edible Uses: None known
Other Uses: None known
Cultivation details: Prefers a moist heavy loam, growing well in grass or amongst shrubs. Prefers a shady
position. The dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least -5°C (Matthews,
1994). A very ornamental plant, it grows well on the woodland edge. The bulbs should be planted about 5 - 7cm
deep as early in the spring as possible. A good bee plant, providing an early source of pollen and nectar.
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Sow the seed thinly so that there is no
need to thin them. The seed usually germinates in the spring. Grow them on in the same pot in a cold frame for
the first two years, giving an occasional liquid feed to ensure the plants do not become nutrient deficient. Pot up
the small bulbs whilst they are still in leaf in early summer of their second year's growth, putting about 3 bulbs in
each pot. Grow them on in the cold frame for a further year before planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring whilst they are still in growth. The plants take about 4 years to flower from seed. Division of
offsets is best done immediately after the plants have finished flowering (and still have green leaves) though it can
also be done in late summer and early autumn when the plants are dormant.
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INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Threat: Illegal collection in the wild and export instead of cultivated Galanthus woronowii.
Protection measure: Establishment of managed reserves, insertion in the RDB Georgia.
9.8. Gentiana L. (Gentianaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: The following species occur in Samtskhe-Javakheti -Gentiana
angulosa M. Bieb. (G. pontica Soltok.); G. cruciata L.; G. pyrenaica L. (G. dschimilensis K. Koch); G. aquatica L.; G. gelida M. Bieb.; G. septemfida Pall.; Caucasian endemic - G. schistocalyx (K. Koch) K. Koch (G. asclepiadea L. var. schistocalyx K. Koch).
Target species: G. septemfida Pall.
General characteristics: Perennial growing to 0.4 m. It is in flower from July to October. Grows on subalpine and alpine meadows. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires
well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.
Tab. 21. Habitat characteristics: Populations of G. septemfida (Pgs) are growing on subalpine and alpine meadows and in
forest opening in upper montane belt.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Pgs1
V. Abastumani, .
Zekari Pass, Adigeni distr
322095
4632709
SE, 7
80, 5
2122
Pgs2
Mt. Abi, near v. Anda
333057
4602731
NE, 5
95, 10
1986
Pgs3
Fersati range, Adigeni distr.
306387
4625368
S, 5
80, 10
2301
Pgs4
Mt. Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr.
325968
4603613
S, 10
100, 12
2035
Tab. 22. Population characteristics: Populations of G. septemfida (Pgs) were monitored during July-October.
Population
Pgs 1
Pgs 2
Pgs 3
Pgs 4
Plant community
Alpine meadow with - Festuca ovina,
Phleum montanum, Agrostis planifolia,
Alchemilla sericea, Trifolium repens,
Plantago lanceolata, Bellis perennis
Subalpine meadow with- Festuca
woronowii, Agrostis planifolia, Phleum
phleoides, Trifolium pratense, Dianthus
cretaceus
Alpine meadow with - Nardus stricta,
Agrostis tenuis, Avenella flexuosa,
Phleum alpinum, Trifolium ambiguum,
Veronica gentianoides
Subalpine meadow with - Agrostis
planifolia, Helictotrichon pubescens,
Koeleria luersenii, Festuca woronowii,
Alchemilla chlorosericea, Trifolium
ambiguum
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
Population
size m2
No of
Spatial structure,
individuals
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
2500
1000
Clustered, 2
1;4
500
1000
Clustered, 2
1;4
100
500
Clustered, 2
1;3
100
200
Clustered, 2
1; 3
4100
2200
Medicinal Uses: It is used in folk medicine for treatment of uterine fibroids. It is antiseptic and regulates
digestive system.
Edible Uses: None known.
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INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Other Uses: None known
Cultivation details: In general, gentians require a moist well-drained soil in a sheltered position, a certain
minimum of atmospheric humidity, high light intensity but a site where temperatures are not too high. They are
therefore more difficult to grow in areas with hot summers and in such a region they appreciate some protection
from the strongest sunlight. Plants are hardy to at least -20°C (Phillips, Rix, 1991). A moisture loving plant, preferring to grow with full exposure to the sun but with plenty of underground moisture in the summer, it grows better in the north and west of Britain. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance.
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame. It can also be sown in
late winter or early spring but the seed germinates best if given a period of cold stratification and quickly loses
viability when stored, with older seed germinating slowly and erratically. It is advantageous to keep the seed at
about 10°C for a few days after sowing, to enable the seed to imbibe moisture (Phillips, Rix, 1991). Following
this with a period of at least 5 - 6 weeks with temperatures falling to between 0 and -5°C will usually produce reasonable germination. It is best to use clay pots, since plastic ones do not drain so freely and the moister conditions
encourage the growth of moss, which will prevent germination of the seed (Kohlein, 1991). The seed should be
surface-sown, or only covered with a very light dressing of compost. The seed requires dark for germination, so
the pots should be covered with something like newspaper or be kept in the dark. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least
their first winter. The seedlings grow on very slowly, taking 2 - 7 years to reach flowering size. When the plants
are of sufficient size, place them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer.
Threat: Local population collects in big amount for traditional use in folk medicine.
Protection measure: Cultivation.
9.9. Helichrysum Mill. (Asteraceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: All 5 species occurring in Georgia are found in SamtskheJavakheti - Helichrysum plicatum DC.; Georgian endemic - H. polyphyllum Ledeb.; H. graveolens (M. Bieb.)
Sweet; H. armenium DC.; Caucasian endemic - H. plintocalyx (K. Koch) Sosn. (=H. rubicundum (K. Koch)
Bornm.).
Target species: H. plicatum DC.; Caucasian endemic - H. plintocalyx (K. Koch) Sosn.; Georgian endemic H. polyphyllum Ledeb.
General characteristics: The all three species are in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. Perennial
growing to 0.3 - 0.5 m. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil
and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds.
Tab. 23. Habitat characteristics: Grows on subalpine rocky slopes. Populations of three species are described together in the
tables. 6 populations are of H. plicatum (Php); and one each populations of H. polyphyllum (Phpo) and H. plintocalyx (Phpx).
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Phpo
V. Abastumani, Zekari
Pass, Adigeni distr.
V. Abastumani, Zekari
Pass, Adigeni distr.
V. Abastumani, Zekari .
Pass, Adigeni distr
Mt. Abi, near v. Anda
320896
4629105
SE, 5
80, 20
1696
321768
4632370
S, 5
100, 20
2022
322180
4632249
SE, 25
80, 20
2040
332658
4604517
N, 1
100, 20
1689
305889
4625446
S, 1
90, 15
2316
298106
4611755
E, 20
60, 25
1704
298282
4611956
E, 20
60, 25
1678
348704
4580061
E, 12
60, 20
1787
Php1
Php2
Php3
Php4
Php5
Php6
Phpx
Fersati range,
Adigeni distr.
Goderdzi Pass,
Adigeni distr.
Goderdzi Pass,
Adigeni distr.
near v. Niala,
Aspindza distr.
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Tab. 24. Population characteristics: 6 populations of H. plicatum (Php); and one each populations of H. polyphyllum
(Phpo) and H. plintocalyx (Phpx) were monitored in August and September.
Population
Plant community
Phpo
Forest edge with - Pinus kochiana,
Poa pratensis, P. bulbosa var. vivipara,
Lotus caucasicus, Potentilla sp.,
Php 1
Php 2
Php 3
Php 4
Php 5
Php 6
Phpx
Subalpine tall-herbaceaus vegetation
with- Anemone fasciculata, Geranium
ibericum, Stachys macrantha,
Cephalaria gigantea, Grossheimia
macrocephala, etc.
Subapine meadow with - Bromopsis
variegata, Trisetum flavescens, Festuca
ovina, Dactylis glomerata, Origanum
vulgare, Thymus collinus, Trifolium
ambiguum
Subapine meadow with - Festuca
woronowii, Agrostis planifolia, Poa
pratensis, Trifolium ambiguum
Subalpine meadow with- Nardus stricta, Agrostis tenuis, Avenella flexuosa,
Phleum alpinum, Trifolium ambiguum,
Veronica gentianoides
Road side with- Picea orientalis, Abies
nordmanniana, Agrostis tenuis, Poa
pratensis, Cirsium arvense, Plantago
lanceolata, etc.
Road side with - Picea orientalis, Abies
nordmanniana, Agrostis tenuis, Poa
pratensis, Cirsium arvense, Plantago
lanceolata,etc.
Dry slope with- Stipa tirsa, Koeleria
caucasica, Medicago coerulea,
Achillea millefolium, Allium ponticum
(m2)
Total size of population Phpo
Total number of individuals Phpo
Total size of population Php1-6 (m2)
Total number of individuals Php1-6
(m2)
Total size of population Phpx
Total number of individuals Phpx
Population
size m2
No of
individuals
Spatial structure,
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
1
47
Clustered, 3
1;1
500
300
Clustered, 3
1;2
300
100
Clustered, 3
1;4
2500
500
Clustered, 3
1;4
500
200
Clustered, 3
1;4
150
300
Clustered, 3
1;4
200
500
Clustered, 3
1;4
100
100
Clustered, 3
1;4
1
47
4150
1900
100
100
Medicinal Uses: Cholagogue; Diuretic; Homeopathy; Skin; Stomachic. The fresh or dried flowers, or the
entire flowering herb, are cholagogue, diuretic, skin and stomachic (Thomas, 1990). An infusion is used in the
treatment of gall bladder disorders and as a diuretic in treating rheumatism, cystitis etc. A homeopathic remedy is
made from the flowering plant. It is used in the treatment of gall bladder disorders and lumbago.
Edible Uses: None known
Other Uses: None known
Cultivation details: Plants tolerate temperatures down to about -7°C. Requires a well-drained, sunny sheltered position. Often cultivated for its flowers which are extensively used as a decoration and in wreaths etc.
Propagation: Seed - sow February/March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at
20°C. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the
greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5cm with a heel, June/July in a frame. Roots in 4
weeks.
Threat: Collected in the wild for medicinal purpose.
Protection measure: Cultivation.
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9.10. Lilium L. (Liliaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: Only one species was known for Meskheti and Javakheti Lilium szovitsianum Fisch. & Ave-Lall. We have found one population of rare - L. kesselringianum Miscz. in
Meskheti on Shavsheti range Mt. Erbo. Earlier, it was found near Tabatskuri Lake in Borjomi district.
Target species: L. kesselringianum Miscz.
General characteristics: Bulbous plant growing to 1,5 m. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen from
August to September. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can
grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.
Tab. 25. Habitat characteristics: population of L. kesselringianum (Plk) is located in forest opening in Shavsheti range, in
mixed forest.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Plk1
Mt. Erbo, Shavsheti range,
Adigeni distr., above
v. Lelovani
306556
N, 2
90, 170
1650
4611578
Tab. 26. Population characteristics: population of L. kesselringianum (Plk) was observed in July.
Population
Plk 1
Plant community
Road side with - Picea orientalis,
Abies nordmanniana, Acer
trautvetteri, Cerasus avium,
Viburnum opulus, Agrostis tenuis,
Poa pratensis, Aquilegia caucasica, etc.
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
Population
size m2
No of
individuals
Spatial structure,
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
5
2
Random, 1
1;2
5
2
Medicinal Uses: Antiasthmatic; Antitussive; Expectorant; Nutritive; Sedative; Tonic. The bulb is antiasthmatic, antitussive, expectorant, sedative and tonic (nutritive). It is used in the treatment of coughs, haemoptysis
and insomnia (Yeung, 1985). Bulbils from the leaf axils are used in the treatment of intestinal disorders.
Edible Uses: Edible Parts: Root. It contains about 18% starch. It can be used as a vegetable in similar ways
to potatoes (Solanum tuberosum).
Other Uses: None known
Cultivation details: Prefers an open free-draining humus-rich loamy soil with its roots in the shade and its
head in the sun (Huxley, 1992). Grows well in open woodland. Likes plenty of moisture and some shade. The
bulbs should be planted 15 - 20cm deep. Early to mid autumn is the best time to plant out the bulbs in cool temperate areas, in warmer areas they can be planted out at late autumn. The plant should be protected against rabbits and slugs in early spring. If the shoot tip is eaten out the bulb will not grow in that year and will lose vigour.
Propagation: Seed best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in spring. Stored seed will
require a warm/cold/warm cycle of stratification, each period being about 2 months long. Grow on in cool shady
conditions. Great care should be taken in pricking out the young seedlings, many people leave them in the seed
pot until they die down at the end of their second years growth. This necessitates sowing the seed thinly and using
a reasonably fertile sowing medium. The plants will also require regular feeding when in growth. Divide the
young bulbs when they are dormant, putting 2 - 3 in each pot, and grow them on for at least another year before
planting them out into their permanent positions when the plants are dormant. Division with care in the autumn
once the leaves have died down. Replant immediately. Bulb scales can be removed from the bulbs in early autumn.
If they are kept in a warm dark place in a bag of moist peat, they will produce bulblets. These bulblets can be potted up and grown on in the greenhouse until they are large enough to plant out.
Threat: This species is represented by only two small populations in Javakheti and Meskheti. Collection in
the wild is unacceptable.
Protection measure: Establishment of managed reserves.
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9.11. Orchis L. (Orchidaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: The following species occur in Samtskhe-Javakheti - Orchis
coriophora L.; Orchis mascula subsp. longicalcarata Akhalkatsi, H.Baumann, R. Lorenz, Mosulishvili & R.Peter;
Orchis morio subsp. caucasica (K. Koch) E.G.Camus, Bergon & A.Camus; Orchis palustris subsp. pseudolaxiflora (Czerniak.) H. Baumann & R.Lorenz; Orchis ustulata L.
Target species: Orchis coriophora L.
General characteristics: Bulb growing to 0.3m. It is in flower from June to July. The plant prefers light
(sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.
Tab. 27. Habitat characteristics: Populations of O. coriophora (Poc) grow on moist meadows in upper montane belt and
in subalpine moist meadows. Mainly it is found in the west part of Adigeni district adjoining to Guria and Adjara.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Poc1
Adigeni distr., between vv.
Mokhe and Dertseli
Adigeni distr., between vv.
Mokhe and Dertseli
Goderdzi Pass, Adigeni distr.,
v. Utkutubani
Goderdzi Pass, Adigeni distr.,
v. Utkutubani
300756
4622164
E, 8
100, 20
1571
300434
4622261
E, 5
100, 25
1583
300887
4615170
E, 10
100, 20
1465
300888
4615165
E, 15
90, 12
1460
Poc2
Poc3
Poc4
Tab. 28. Population characteristics: Populations of O. coriophora (Poc) were monitored in June, when plants are in full
flowering.
Population
Poc 1
Poc 2
Poc 3
Poc 4
Plant community
Wet meadow with - Cynosurus cristatus,
Deschampsia caespitosa, Carex humilis,
Orchis pseudolaxiflora, Trifolium repens,
etc.
Wet meadow with - Deschampsia caespitosa, Carex humilis, Orchis palustris
subsp. pseudolaxiflora, O. ustulata,
Dactylorhiza euxina, Trifolium repens, etc.
Wet meadow with - Cynosurus cristatus,
Agrostis planifolia, Poa alpina, Orchis
palustris subsp. pseudolaxiflora, Trifolium
repens, Plantago lanceolata, etc.
Road side with - Trifolium pratense,
Ranunculus oreophilus,
Lotus caucasicus etc.
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
Population
size m2
No of
Spatial structure,
individuals
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
500
50
Random, 1
1;1
100
30
Random, 1
1;1
150
80
Random, 1
1;1
5
12
Random, 1
1;3
755
132
Medicinal Uses: Demulcent; Nutritive.
Salep is starch like substance obtained from dry tuber of the orchid. It contains polysaccharide basorin in big
amount. It is very nutritive, astringent and demulcent (Grieve, 1984). Used in the treatment of cancer. Rich in
mucilage, it forms a soothing and demulcent jelly that is used in the treatment of irritations of the gastro-intestinal canal. One part of salep to fifty parts of water is sufficient to make a jelly. The tuber, from which salep is prepared, should be harvested as the plant dies down after flowering and setting seed.
Edible Uses: Drink is prepared from root. Root - cooked. It is a source of 'salep', a fine white to yellowishwhite powder that is obtained by drying the tuber and grinding it into a powder. Salep is a starch-like substance
146
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INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
with a sweetish taste and a faint somewhat unpleasant smell. It is said to be very nutritious and is made into a
drink or can be added to cereals and used in making bread etc.
Other Uses: None known
Cultivation details: Requires a deep rich soil. Easily grown in full sun in a moist sandy loam (Grey, 1938).
Orchids are, in general, shallow-rooting plants of well-drained low-fertility soils. Their symbiotic relationship
with a fungus in the soil allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients and be able to compete successfully with other
plants. They are very sensitive to the addition of fertilizers or fungicides since these can harm the symbiotic fungus and thus kill the orchid. This symbiotic relationship makes them very difficult to cultivate, though they will
sometimes appear uninvited in a garden and will then thrive. Transplanting can damage the relationship and plants
might also thrive for a few years and then disappear, suggesting that they might be short-lived perennials. Plants
can succeed in a lawn in various parts of the country. The lawn should not be mown early in the year before or
immediately after flowering. Plant out bulbs whilst the plant is dormant, preferably in the autumn. Plants seem to
be immune to the predations of rabbits. Cultivated plants are very susceptible to the predation of slugs and snails.
The flowers have an abominable bug-like smell. The flowers of the commoner sub-species, O. coriophora subsp.
fragrans, however, are sweetly scented.
Propagation: Seed - surface sow, preferably as soon as it is ripe, in the greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. The seed of this species is extremely simple, it has a minute embryo surrounded by a single layer
of protective cells. It contains very little food reserves and depends upon a symbiotic relationship with a species
of soil-dwelling fungus. The fungal hyphae invade the seed and enter the cells of the embryo. The orchid soon
begins to digest the fungal tissue and this acts as a food supply for the plant until it is able to obtain nutrients from
decaying material in the soil. It is best to use some of the soil that is growing around established plants in order
to introduce the fungus, or to sow the seed around a plant of the same species and allow the seedlings to grow on
until they are large enough to move. Division of the tubers as the flowers fade. This species produces a new tuber
towards the end of its growing season. If this is removed from the plant as its flowers are fading, the shock to the
plant can stimulate new tubers to be formed. The tuber should be treated as being dormant, whilst the remaining
plant should be encouraged to continue in growth in order to give it time to produce new tubers (Cribb, Bailes,
1989). Division can also be carried out when the plant has a fully developed rosette of leaves but before it comes
into flower. The entire new growth is removed from the old tuber from which it has arisen and is potted up, the
cut being made towards the bottom of the stem but leaving one or two roots still attached to the old tuber. This
can often be done without digging up the plant. The old tuber should develop one or two new growths, whilst the
new rosette should continue in growth and flower normally.
Threat: Grazing, habitat degradation (wetlands), collected in the wild for medicinal purpose and for flower
market.
Protection measure: Establishment of managed reserves.
9.12. Pulsatilla Hill (Ranunculaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: According to Kemularia-Natadze (1969) there are three
species of Pasque Flower in Meskheti and Javakheti - P. aurea (Somm. & Levier) Juz. (=Anemone alpina L. var.
aurea Somm. & Levier), P. violacea Rupr., and Georgian endemic P. georgica Rupr. Althougth, other authors
consider P. georgica as synonim of P. violacea (Cherepanov, 1995).
Target species: P. violacea (= P. georgica Rupr.)
General characteristics: Ornamental plant. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from May
to June. Perennial growing to 0.25 m. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires welldrained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot
grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Tab. 29. Habitat characteristics: Populations of P. georgica (Ppg) are found in both Meskheti and Javakheti. Especially abundant
are populations in Javakheti.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Ppg1
R. Mtkvari gorge, road to
Vardzia, in opposite to
Tmogvi fortress, Aspindza
distr.
Between v. Jigarasheni and
359192
4583701
W, 30
80, 15
1332
379629
4572246
NE, 12
80, 20
1887
Ppg2
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INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Ppg3
Ppg4
Ppg5
Ppg6
Ppg7
Ppg8
Ppg9
Ppg 10
Town Ninotsminda,
Near Lake Khanchali,
Ninotsminda distr.
Near v. Kartikami,
Akhalkalaki distr.
R. Mtkvari gorge, between
v. Rustavi and v. Minadze,
Aspindza distr.
R. Mtkvari gorge, between
v. Rustavi and v. Minadze,
Aspindza distr.
R. Mtkvari gorge, between
v. Rustavi and v. Minadze,
Aspindza distr.
Aspindza distr. between
v. Vardzia and v. Niala,
Aspindza distr.
Tetrobi Plateau,
Akhalkalaki distr.
Between vv. Gorelovka and
Spasovka, Ninotsminda distr.
379376
4566360
W, 12
90, 10
1930
378503
4584695
W, 15
90, 6
1816
337485
4609548
W, 20
60, 15
972
339159
4609508
W, 30
70, 14
947
338815
4608511
W, 20
70, 15
1033
352218
4580989
N, 12
90, 12
1760
365742
4607924
NE, 15
50, 15
2237
393675
4560760
NE, 1
100, 20
2116
Tab. 30. Population characteristics: Populations of P. georgica (Ppg) was monitored in May.
Population
Ppg 1
Plant community
Rocky slope covered by grassland and
shrubs with- Spiraea hypericifolia,
Festuca ovina, Primula macrocalyx
Population
size m2
No of
individuals
Spatial structure, Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
40
100
Random, 1
1;2
1500
600
Random, 1
1;3
5000000
1500
Random, 1
1;3
500
40
Random, 1
1;3
Ppg 5
Steppefied meadows with - Carex humilis,
Festuca valesiaca, F. ovina, Filipendula
vulgaris, Stipa tirsa
Steppefied meadows with - Carex humilis,
Festuca valesiaca, F. ovina, Filipendula
vulgaris, Stipa tirsa
Secondary meadow with - Agrostis planifolia, Bromopsis variegata, Festuca valesiaca, F. ovina, Alchemilla erythropoda
Shibliak with - Paliurus spina-christi,
Rhamnus pallasii, Spiraea hypericifolia
25
30
Random, 1
1;3
Ppg 6
Shibliak with - Paliurus spina-christi,
Rhamnus pallasii, Spiraea hypericifolia
5
60
Random, 1
1;3
Ppg 7
Shibliak with - Paliurus spina-christi,
Rhamnus pallasii, Spiraea hypericifolia
1
36
Random, 1
1;3
500
1000
Random, 1
1;3
250
100
Random, 1
1;3
500
400
Random, 1
1;2
Ppg 2
Ppg 3
Ppg 4
Ppg 8
Ppg 9
Ppg 10
Subalpine meadow with - Anemone fasciculata, Geranium ibericum, Scabiosa caucasica, Senecio rhombifolius, etc.
Limestone rock with - Pinus kochiana,
Poa pratensis, Festuca ovina, F.
woronowii, Trisetum rigidum,
Sempervivum sosnowskyi, Daphne glomerata, Juniperus communis
Mountain stepified meadow with - Stipa
tirsa, Poa pratensis, Trifolium trichocephalum, T. ambiguum, Achillea millefolium, Gentiana gelida, Plantago lanceolata
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
148
5003321
3866
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Medicinal Uses: Alterative; Antispasmodic; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Emmenagogue; Expectorant;
Homeopathy; Nervine; Ophthalmic; Sedative. Pasque flower is considered by herbalists to be of highly valuable
modern curative use as a herbal simple (Grieve, 1984). The plant contains the glycoside ranunculin, this is converted to anemonine when the plant is dried and is the medicinally active principle in the plant (Stuart, 1979). The
whole plant is alterative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, nervine and sedative
(Grieve, 1984). It is taken internally in the treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome, inflammations of the reproductive organs, tension headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, hyperactivity, bacterial skin infections, septicaemia, spasmodic coughs in asthma, whooping cough and bronchitis. Externally, it is used to treat eye conditions such as diseases of the retina, senile cataract and glaucoma. This remedy should be used with caution, excessive doses cause
diarrhoea and vomiting. It should not be prescribed to patients with colds. See also the notes above on toxicity.
The plant is harvested soon after flowering, it is more poisonous when fresh and so should be carefully preserved
by drying (Stuart, 1979; Grieve, 1984). It should not be stored for longer than 12 months before being used.
Edible Uses: None known
Other Uses: Dye; Ground cover. A green dye is obtained from the flowers (Bown, 1995). Plants can be
grown to form a ground cover, they are best spaced about 30cm apart each way.
Cultivation details: Requires a well-drained humus rich gritty soil in a sunny position. Lime tolerant. Prefers
lime. Grows best in a well-drained chalky soil in a dry warm situation. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant (Huxley,1992). A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°C. A very ornamental plant,
there are many named varieties. The plant has become rare in its natural environment, due partly to over-collecting and partly to habitat loss. Large plants transplant badly. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants,
especially legumes.
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early summer in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in about 2 - 3 weeks. Sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. Germination takes about 1 - 6 months
at 15°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in
the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the spring. Root cuttings, 4cm long taken in early winter, potted up in a mixture of peat and sand. They can also be taken in
July/August, planted vertically in pots in a greenhouse or frame. Some care is needed since the plant resents root
disturbance (Huxley,1992).
Threat: Grazing, habitat degradation, collected in the wild for medicinal purpose and for flower market.
Protection measure: Cultivation, establishment of managed reserves, insertion in the RDB Georgia.
9.13. Rhododendron L. (Ericaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: Three species of Rhododendron occur in Meskheti and
Javakheti - R. luteum Sweet; R. ponticum L. and . R. caucasicum Pall.
Target species: R. caucasicum Pall.
General characteristics: An evergreen Shrub growing to 1,5 m It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to
July. It grows only on northern shaded slopes in and above treeline ecotone. The plant prefers light (sandy) and
medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid soils and can grow in very acid soil.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil.
Tab. 31. Habitat characteristics: Populations of R. caucasicum (Prc) are found on northern slopes of Shavsheti, Persati and
Erusheti ranges.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Prc1
Mt. Erbo, Shavsheti
range, Adigeni distr.,
above v. Lelovani
306450
4610714
N, 20
90, 100
2152
Prc2
Mt. Erbo, Shavsheti
range, Adigeni distr.,
above v. Lelovani
303765
4609970
N, 20
90, 90
2280
Prc3
Fersati range,
Adigeni distr.
304626
4625037
N, 10
100, 120
2144
Prc4
Mt. Vale, Akhaltsikhe
distr.
326718
4602273
N, 12
100, 80
2230
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Tab. 32. Population characteristics: Populations of R. caucasicum (Prc) were monitored in July-August. The number of individuals
in populations is calculated approximately as in this pollster plant was difficult to discriminate between separate individuals.
Population
Prc 1
Prc 2
Prc 3
Prc 4
Plant community
Subalpine shrubland with- Betula
litwinowii, Daphne glomerata, Vaccinium
myrtillus, Festuca woronowii, Gentiana
septemfida, Juniperus sp.
Subalpine shrubland with -Betula
litwinowii, Daphne glomerata, Vaccinium
myrtillus, Festuca woronowii, Gentiana
septemfida, Juniperus sp
Treeline with- Betula litwinowii, Picea orientalis, Sorbus caucasigena, Rubus idaeus,
Daphne mezereum, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Valeriana tiliifolia
Subalpine shrubland with - Rhododendron
caucasicum, Vaccinium uliginosum, V. myrtillus, Agrostis tenuifolia, Anthoxantum
alpinum, Avenella montana
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
Population
size m2
No of
Spatial strucindividuals ture, Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
32000000
10 000
Regular, 4
1;2
12000000
8000
Regular, 4
1;2
40000
500
Regular, 4
1;2
100000
1000
Regular, 4
2;3
44140000
19500
Medicinal Uses: Cardiac. Tea made from the plant is used to treat heart and circulation malfunctions, but it
should not be used without expert supervision because of toxicity of the plant. The flowers are analgesic, anaesthetic and sedative. They are applied externally in the treatment of arthritis, caries, itch, maggots and traumatic
injuries (Duke, 1985).
Edible Uses: Leaves are used to prepare tea.
Other Uses: Fuel. Wood is used as fuel in high mountain areas.
Cultivation details: Succeeds in a most humus-rich lime-free soils except those of a dry arid nature or those
that are heavy or clayey. Prefers a peaty or well-drained sandy loam. A pH between 4.5 and 5.5 is ideal. Succeeds
in sun or shade, the warmer the climate the more shade a plant requires (Huxley, 1992). Hardy to about -15°C. It
does not compete well with surface-rooting trees. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus
(Huxley, 1992).
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn and given artificial light.
Alternatively sow the seed in a lightly shaded part of the warm greenhouse in late winter or in a cold greenhouse
in April. Surface-sow the seed and do not allow the compost to become dry (Huxley, 1992). Pot up the seedlings
when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter. Layering should
be done in late July. It takes 15 - 24 months. Cuttings of half-ripe wood planted in August in a frame are difficult
to cultivate.
Threat: Habitat degradation, climate change, collected in the wild for medicinal purpose.
Protection measure: Establishment of managed reserves.
9.14. Sambucus L. (Caprifoliaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: So far two species of Sambucus were described for Georgia S. ebulus L. and S. nigra L., in 1980-es was discovered in Georgia population of S. tigranii Troitzk., which was
before considered as endemic plant of Armenia. Although, medicinal property of this species are not yet investigated, it is known that the other two species have high value as medicinal plants. Therefore we decided to study
the rare species - S. tigranii, which is included in the IUCN Red Data List as vulnarable.
Target species: S. tigranii Troitzk.
General characteristics: A decidious Shrub growing to 4 m by 3m at a fast rate. It is in leaf from March to
November, in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The plant prefers light
(sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral
and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no
shade. It requires dry or moist soil.
150
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Tab. 33. Habitat characteristics: Single population of S. tigranii in Georgia grows in Meskheti, along the road to Vardzia in Aspindza
district. There is some danger that this population might be damaged during ungoing road construction works as it is located between
road and rock on quite weak stripe, ca. 5 m bright and 40 m long. It needs special protection measures to be undertaken.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Pst1
Road to Vardzia, opposite
to Tmogvi fortress
359049
W, 2
50, 350
1290
4583663
Tab. 34. Population characteristics: population of S. tigranii was monitored in July, before seed ripening.
Population
Plant community
Pst 1
Rocks on road side with shibliak
vegetation, - Astracantha microcephala, Rhamnus pallasii,
Berberis vulgaris, Spiraea hypericifolia, Rosa canina
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
Population
size m2
200
No of
Spatial structure,
individuals
Sociability
19
Clustered, 2
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
1; 4
200
19
Medicinal Uses: Two other species of this genus S. ebulus and S. nigra have Medicinal use. The first is herb
and the other shrub up to 6 m hight. They are antiinflammatory; Aperient; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Emetic;
Emollient; Expectorant; Galactogogue; Haemostatic; Laxative; Ophthalmic; Purgative; Salve; Stimulant. Elder
has a very long history of household use as a medicinal herb and is also much used by herbalists (Grieve, 1984).
The flowers are the main part used in modern herbalism, though all parts of the plant have been used at times. The
inner bark is collected from young trees in the autumn and is best sun-dried. It is diuretic, a strong purgative and
in large doses emetic. It is used in the treatment of constipation and arthritic conditions (Bown, 1995). The leaves
can be used both fresh and dry. For drying, they are harvested in periods of fine weather during June and July. The
leaves are purgative, but are more nauseous than the bark. They are also diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and
haemostatic. The juice is said to be a good treatment for inflamed eyes. An ointment made from the leaves is emollient and is used in the treatment of bruises, sprains, chilblains, wounds etc. A tea made from the dried berries is
said to be a good remedy for colic and diarrhea (Grieve, 1984).
Edible Uses: The fruit of S. ebulus and S. nigra is widely used for making wines, preserves etc., and these
are said to retain the medicinal properties of the fruit. S. tigranii is too few plants in Georgia to be have importance in human being.
Other Uses: S. ebulus and S. nigra have many uses in himan being as dye, wood, cosmetic etc. The dried
flowering shoots are used to repel insects, rodents etc. The flowers are used in skin lotions, oils and ointments. S.
nigra is an excellent pioneer species to use when re-establishing woodlands. The berries yield various shades of
blue and purple dyes. The pith in the stems of young branches pushes out easily and the hollow stems thus made
have been used as pipes for blowing air into a fire. The mature wood is white and fine-grained. It is easily cut and
polishes well and valued highly by carpenters, it has many used, for making skewers, mathematical instruments,
toys etc.
Cultivation details: A very easily grown plant, it tolerates most soils and situations, growing well on chalk,
but prefers a moist loamy soil (Huxley, 1992). Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates some shade but fruits better in a sunny position. Tolerates atmospheric pollution and coastal situations. The elder is very occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit. The leaves often begin to open as early as January and are fully open in April . The
leaves fall in October/November in exposed sites, later in sheltered positions. Young stems can be killed by late
frosts but they are soon replaced from the ground level. Very tolerant of pruning, plants can be cut back to ground
level and will regrow from the base. The flowers are very attractive to insects. The fruit is very attractive to birds
and this can draw them away from other cultivated fruits.
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, when it should germinate
in early spring. Stored seed can be sown in the spring in a cold frame but will probably germinate better if it is
given 2 months warm followed by 2 months cold stratification first. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots
when they are large enough to handle. If good growth is made, the young plants can be placed in their permanent
positions during the early summer. Otherwise, either put them in a sheltered nursery bed, or keep them in their
pots in a sheltered position and plant them out in spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm
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with a heel, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm with a
heel, late autumn in a frame or a sheltered outdoor bed. Division of suckers in the dormant season.
Threat: Habitat degradation, grazing, road constraction works.
Protection measure: Establishment of managed reserves.
9.15. Scabiosa L. (Dipsacaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: The following species of Scabiosa occur in SamtskheJavakheti - S. adzharica Schchian; S. bipinnata K. Koch.; S. caucasica M. Bieb.; S. columbaria L.; S. meskhetika Schchian; S. micrantha Desf.; S. rotata M. Bieb. and S. velenovskiana Bobr.
Target species: S. caucasica M. Bieb.
General characteristics: Perennial herb growing to 0.4m. It is in flower from July to September. The plant
prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid,
neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland)
or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil.
Tab. 35. Habitat characteristics: Populations of S. caucasica (Psc) are more abundant in Javakheti, but this species is very rare in
Meskheti.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Psc1
V. Abastumani, Zekari
Pass, Adigeni distr.
Mt. Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr.
322042
4632314
SE, 35
30, 20
2081
325842
4603775
W, 8
70, 25
2000
387375
4583590
SW, 3
100, 35
2288
388234
4583594
W, 3
100, 35
2308
379572
4572216
N, 10
65, 15
1902
393601
4560798
NE, 1
100, 40
2132
396765
4562315
NE, 5
90, 20
2163
352041
4580850
W, 10
100, 40
2101
Psc2
Psc3
Mt. Abuli, eastern slope,
Akhalkalaki distr.
Mt. Abuli, eastern slope,
Akhalkalaki distr.
Between vv. Jigarasheni
and Ninotsminda
Between vv. Gorelovka and
Spasovka, Ninotsminda distr.
Lake Mada-Tafa,
Ninotsminda distr.
Between vv. Vardzia and
Niala, Aspindza distr.
Psc4
Psc5
Psc6
Psc7
Psc8
Tab. 36. Population characteristics: Populations of S. caucasica were monitored from July to August.
Population
Psc 1
Psc 2
Psc 3
Psc 4
152
Plant community
Population
size m2
Rocky slope with - Picea orientalis, Bromopsis
variegata, Festuca woronowii, Trisetum
flavescens, T. rigidum, Campanula alliariifolia,
Allium kunthianum
Subalpine meadow with- Calamagrostis arundinacea, Poa caucasica, Phleum phleoides,
Festuca woronowii, Trifolium ambiguum,
Gentiana cruciata
Subalpine meadow with - Bromopsis variegata,
Agrostis tenuis, Calamagrostis arundinacea,
Avenella montana, Trifolium ambiguum,
Alchemilla sericea
Subalpine meadow with - Bromopsis variegata,
Agrostis tenuis, Calamagrostis arundinacea,
Avenella montana, Trifolium ambiguum,
Alchemilla sericea
No of
Spatial structure, Vitality and
individuals
Sociability
Fertility,
Disturbance
100
150
Random, 1
1;2
500
100
Random, 1
1;4
10000
1000
Random, 1
1;2
500
100
Random, 1
1;2
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Psc 5
Psc 6
Psc 7
Psc 8
Stepified meadow with - Phleum phleoides,
Bromopsis variegata, Festuca woronowii,
Trifolium ambiguum, Lotus caucasicus,
Plantago major
Mountain stepified meadow with - Stipa tirsa,
Poa pratensis, Trifolium trichocephalum, T.
ambiguum, Achillea millefolium, Gentiana gelida, Plantago lanceolata
Mountain stepified meadow with - Stipa tirsa,
Poa pratensis, Brachypodium pinnatum,
Trifolium trichocephalum, T. ambiguum,
Potentilla recta, Plantago lanceolata
Subalpine meadow with- Koeleria caucasica,
Brachypodium pinnatum, Poa pratensis,
Trifolium alpestre, Onobrychis cyri
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
250
200
Random, 1
1;3
500
1000
Random, 1
1;2
10000
700
Random, 1
1;3
600
100
Random, 1
1;2
22450
3350
Medicinal Uses: Astringent; Diuretic; Homeopathy. The whole plant is astringent and mildly diuretic
(Launert, 1981). An infusion is used internally as a blood purifier and externally for treating cuts, burns and bruises. The fresh or dried flowering plant can be used, with or without the roots. A homeopathic remedy is made from
the plant. It is used as a blood purifier and as a treatment for eczema and other skin disorders.
Edible Uses: None known
Other Uses: None known
Cultivation details: Succeeds in any well-drained garden soil. Prefers a neutral or alkaline dry soil. Grows
well on chalky soils. Grows well in a dry sunny meadow. A very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down
to at least -25°C (Phillips, Rix, 1991). Grows well in the summer meadow. The plant is an important source of
nectar and pollen for bees and lepidoptera. The plants are sometimes dioecious, if this is the case then male and
female plants will need to be grown if seed is required.
Propagation: Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the
seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If you have enough seed it would be worthwhile trying a sowing in situ outdoors in the spring. The seed germinates in the spring in the wild. Division in the
spring. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until
they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Threat: Habitat degradation, collected in the wild for medicinal purpose and for flower market.
Protection measure: Cultivation, establishment of managed reserves.
9.16. Scorzonera L. (Asteraceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: 3 of 6 species of Scorzonera distributed in Meskheti and
Javakheti are endemics. One - S. dzhawakhetica Sosn. ex Grossh. is endemic of both Meskheti and Javakheti, two
others - S. ketzkhowelii Sosn. ex Grossh. and S. kozlowskyi Sosn. ex Grossh. are distributed only on Tetrobi Pateau
in Javakheti.
Target species: S. dzhawakhetica Sosn. ex Grossh.
General characteristics: Perennial herb. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen in
September-October. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires welldrained soil. The plant prefers calcareous soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.
Tab. 37. Habitat characteristics: Only two populations of S. dzhawakhetica (Psd) were known from literature and herbarium data. We have described both of them.
Population
Psd1
Psd2
Location
Tetrobi Plateau,
Akhalkalaki distr.
Between v. Ota and Shoreti,
Aspindza distr.
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
366042
4608123
NE, 35
70, 35
2342
360793
4609326
NW, 20
95, 40
1468
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Tab. 38. Population characteristics: Populations of S. dzhawakhetica (Psd) were monitored in August and September.
Population
Plant community
Psd 1
Limestone rock with - Trisetum
flavescens, Dianthus cretaceus,
Asphodeline taurica, Sempervivum sosnowskyi, Daphne transcaucasica,
Juniperus communis
Psd 2
Limestone dry rock with shibliak vegetation, - Astracantha microcephala,,
Rhamnus pallasii, Berberis vulgaris,
Spiraea hypericifolia, Rosa canina
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
Population
size m2
No of
individuals
Spatial structure,
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
500
100
Random, 1
1;2
1000
200
Random, 1
1;3
1500
300
Medicinal Uses: None known.
Edible Uses: Species of this genus are edible plant, rich in vitamins and nitrogenous substances, rubber-bearing plant. Coffee like beverage is prepared from the roots. The root is rich in inulin. This is a starch that is not easily digested by humans and so generally passes straight through the digestive system and is excreted. Flower buds
might be eaten raw.
Other Uses: The root contains a high concentration of good quality latex that can be used for making rubber. The latex is extracted by maceration of the root.
Cultivation details: Succeeds in any soil in sun or light shade. Plants are required calcareous soils. Plants
usually regenerate from the root after they have been cut.
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in the greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough
to handle into relatively deep pots to accommodate the tap root. If growth is good, plant out in early summer, other
wise grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring of the following year.
Division in autumn or as growth commences in the spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their
permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded
position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer. Root cuttings in the
autumn.
Threat: This species is represented by only two small populations in Javakheti and Meskheti. Collection in
the wild is unacceptable.
Protection measure: Establishment of managed reserves.
9.17. Senecio L. (Asteraceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: The following species of Senecio occur in Samtskhe-Javakheti
- S. viscosus L.; S. vernalis Waldst. & Kit.; Caucasian endemic S. propinquus Schischk.; . S. rhombifolius (Adams)
Sch. Bip.; S. thyrsophorus K. Koch; S. pseudoorientalis Schischk.; S. grandidentatus Ledeb.; S. lorentii Hochst.;
S. othonnae M. Bieb.; S. pandurifolius K. Koch; S. taraxacifolius (M. Bieb.) DC.
Target species: S. rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. Bip.
General characteristics: Perennial growing to 1.8m by 1.5m. It is in flower from July to August. The plant
prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline)
soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist
or wet soil.
Tab. 39. Habitat characteristics: Populations of S. rhombifolius (Psr) are scattered in mixed coniferous forests and above
treeline in subalpine meadows.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Psr1
Mt. Erbo, Shavsheti range,
Adigeni distr., above
v. Lelovani
307036
NE, 8
100, 180
2022
154
4610883
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Psr2
V. Abastumani, Zekari Pass
Adigeni distr.
Fersati range, Adigeni distr.
Mt. Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr.
Mt. Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr.
Psr3
Psr4
Psr5
321766
4632375
S, 10
90, 150
2025
304586
326817
327004
4625037
4602457
4599612
N, 10
N, 45
N, 10
70, 150
100, 150
100, 190
2140
2190
2377
Tab. 40. Population characteristics: Populations of S. rhombifolius (Psr) were monitored in August.
Population
Psr 1
Psr 2
Psr 3
Pep 4
Psr 5
Plant community
Subalpine krumholz and tall herbaceous vegetation with -Rhododendron
caucasicum, Cephalaria gigantea,
Gadellia lactiflora, Aquilegia caucasica, etc.
Subalpine tall-herbaceaus vegetation
with- Anemone fasciculata, Geranium
ibericum, Stachys macrantha,
Cephalaria gigantea, Grossheimia
macrocephala, etc.
Treeline with- Betula litwinowii, Picea
orientalis, Sorbus caucasigena, Rubus
idaeus, Daphne mezereum,
Calamagrostis arundinacea, Valeriana
tiliifolia
Subalpine tall-herbaceaus vegetation
with - Heracleum antasiaticum,
Cirsium arvense, Geranium ibericum,
Cephalaria gigantea, etc.
Subalpine tall-herbaceaus vegetation
with- Dactylis glomerata, Heracleum
antasiaticum, Cirsium arvense, Rumex
alpinus, Cephalaria gigantea, etc.
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
Population
size m2
No of
Spatial structure,
individuals
Sociability
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
1000
500
Regular, 1
1;2
70000
600
Regular, 1
1;2
10000
300
Regular, 1
1;2
50000
1500
Regular, 1
1; 3
10000
700
Regular, 1
1; 2
141000
3600
Medicinal Uses: Groundsel is a medicinal plant that is deserving of greater attention. It contains alkaloid
platyphyllin used in pharmaceutical industry for treatment of cardio-vascular disease. Contains as well alkaloid
seneciphyllin effectively lowering blood pressure. Therefore it was harvested in big amount for the market and
exported to Russia. This species is cultivated in parts of Russia for use in the pharmaceutical industry.
Edible Uses: None known
Other Uses: None known
Cultivation details: An easily grown plant, it succeeds in a sunny position in most moderately fertile welldrained soils. Prefers a damp to wet soil and also succeeds in partial shade. A very ornamental plant, it is not fully
hardy in the colder areas, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°C.
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to
handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant
them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in
spring. Root cuttings in early spring
Threat: Local population periodically collects big amount of green mass for private pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Protection measure: Cultivation, establishment of managed reserves.
9.18. Viola L. (Violaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: The following species occur in Samtskhe-Javakheti - V.
kitaibeliana Schult.; V. odorata L.; V. oreades M. Bieb.; V. parvula Tineo (V. sosnowskyi Kapell.); V. pumila Chaix.
V. pyrenaica Ramond ex DC.; V. reichenbachiana Jord. ex Boreau (V. sylvestris Lam.); V. suavis M. Bieb.
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Target species: V. suavis M. Bieb. and V. odorata L. the last is growing in the gardens and only one wild
population we have found in Meskheti.
General characteristics: perennial growing to 0.1m by 0.15m. It is in flower from February to April, and
the seeds ripen from April to June. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and
requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade
(light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.
Tab. 41. Habitat characteristics: Populations of V. suavis (Pvs) are spread along R. Mtkvari in riparian forest.
Population
Location
GPS-X GPS-Y
Exposition,
inclination,
Cover %
and canopy
height (cm)
Elevation (m)
Pvs1
Right bank of River Mtkvari
between Minadze and Rustavi,
Akhaltsikhe distr.
Right bank of River Mtkvari
between Rustavi and Aspindza,
Aspindza distr.
Right bank of River Mtkvari
near Rustavi, Aspindza distr.
v.Tsriokhi, Tsriokhistskali
gorge, Akhaltsikhe distr.
near v. Sakire, Borjomi distr.
Goderdzi Pass, Adigeni distr.
Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani,
Adigeni distr.
R. Mtkvari gorge, right bank
near fortress Slesistsikhe,
Akhaltsikhe distr.
341224
4608262
W, 3
15, 8
1000
346180
4606708
SW, 12
30, 50
1035
342380
4608932
W, 3
15, 3
1010
344810
4621813
SE, 15
15, 7
1007
356719
301314
320619
4624193
4615242
4628596
SW, 15
E, 12
N, 5
55, 7
45, 7
60, 5
1054
1494
1518
351071
4623718
W, 8
40, 5
892
Pvs2
Pvs3
Pvs4
Pvs5
Pvs6
Pvs7
Pvs8
Tab. 42. Population characteristics: Populations of V. suavis (Pvs) were monitored in March - April.
Population
Pvs 1
Pvs 2
Pvs 3
Pvs 4
Pvs 5
Pvs 6
Pvs 7
Pvs 8
Plant community
Riparian forest with -Alnus barbata, Rosa canina
Stellaria media
Riparian forest with -Alnus barbata, Populus
hybrida, Crataegus monogyna
Riparian forest with - Alnus barbata, Populus
hybrida, Crataegus monogyna
Oak forest with - Quercus iberica, Carpinus orientalis, Malus orientalis, Picea orientalis, Pinus
kochiana
Forest edge with - Carpinus betulus, Berberis
vulgaris, Oxalis acetosella
Forest edge with - Picea orientalis, Carpinus
betulus, Primula woronowii, Dactylorhiza romana
ssp. georgica
Mixed forest with- Pinus kochiana, Fagus orientalis, Carpinus betulus, Quercus iberica, Corylus
avellana
Oak forest with - Quercus iberica, Carpinus orientalis, Malus orientalis, Picea orientalis, Pinus
kochiana
Total size of population (m2)
Total number of individuals
156
Population
No of
Spatial structure,
individuals
Sociability
size m2
Vitality and
Fertility,
Disturbance
30
20
Random 1
1;3
70
10
Random 1
1;3
100
70
Random 1
1;3
20
20
Random 1
1; 4
100
30
Random 1
1; 3
200
27
Random 1
1; 2
500
50
Random 1
1; 1
1000
100
Random 1
1; 2
2020
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Medicinal Uses: V. odorata is usually used as medicinal plant, but almost all wild species are collected
instead of it when available for local population. Sweet violet has a long and proven history of folk use, especially in the treatment of cancer and whooping cough (Grieve, 1984). It also contains salicylic acid, which is used to
make aspirin. It is therefore effective in the treatment of headaches, migraine and insomnia. The whole plant is
anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, and laxative (Grieve, 1984). It is taken internally
in the treatment of bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, coughs, asthma, and cancer of the breast, lungs or digestive tract
(Bown, 1995). Externally, it is used to treat mouth and throat infections. The plant can either be used fresh, or harvested when it comes into flower and then be dried for later use. The roots is a much stronger expectorant than
other parts of the plant but they also contain the alkaloid violine which at higher doses is strongly emetic and
purgative (Grieve, 1984). An essential oil from the flowers is used in aromatherapy in the treatment of bronchial
complaints, exhaustion and skin complaints.
Edible Uses: Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked. Usually available all through the winter. The
leaves have a very mild flavour, though they soon become quite tough as they grow older. They make a very good
salad, their mild flavour enabling them to be used in bulk whilst other stronger-tasting leaves can then be added
to give more flavour.
Other Uses: Essential; Ground cover; Litmus. An essential oil from the flowers and leaves is used in perfumery. 1000kg of leaves produces about 300 - 400g absolute (Uphof, 1959). The flowers are used to flavour
breath fresheners. A pigment extracted from the flowers is used as litmus to test for acids and alkalines. Plants can
be grown as a ground cover when spaced about 30cm apart each way. They make an effective weed-excluding
cover.
Cultivation details: Succeeds in most soils but prefers a cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial
or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds. When grown in the open it prefers a moderately heavy rich
soil. Plants have done very well in a hot dry sunny position on our Cornish trial grounds. Tolerates sandstone and
limestone soils. Plants are hardy to about -20°C. The plants will often self-sow freely when well-sited. They can
also spread fairly rapidly at the roots when they are growing well. Responds well to an annual replanting in rich
loose leafy soils. All members of this genus have more or less edible leaves and flower buds, though those species
with yellow flowers can cause diarrhoea if eaten in large quantities.
Propagation: Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. The seed requires a period of cold stratification and the germination of stored seed can be erratic. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are
large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Division in the autumn or just after flowering. Larger
divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, though we have found that it is best to pot up
smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well.
Plant them out in the summer or the following spring.
Threat: Collected in the wild for medicinal purpose and for flower market.
Protection measure: Cultivation.
9.19. Allium L. (Liliaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: The following species of Allium occur in Samtskhe-Javakheti
- A. albidum Fisch. ex M. Bieb.; A. atroviolaceum Boiss.; A. fuscoviolaceum Fomin; A. karsianum Fomin; A. kunthianum Vved.; A. leucanthum K. Koch; A. moschatum L.; A. ponticum Miscz. ex Grossh.; A. pseudoflavum
Vved.; A. rotundum L.; A. victorialis L.; A. vineale L.
Target species: A. victorialis L. It is grown in Tabatskhuri area and in Abul-Samsari range. But we did not
find it on the territory of Samtskhe- Javakheti. One big population was found in Tskhratskaro Pass, where local
population of Javakheti is collecting A. victorialis and prepares marinade for winter.
General characteristics: Bulb growing to 0.4m. It is in leaf from April to August, in flower from June to
July, and the seeds ripen in July-August. It grows on subalpine meadows in association with Rhododendron caucasicum and Vaccinium myrtillus. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. The plant prefers
acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil.
Medicinal Uses: Almost all species of Allium have medicinal properties. The whole plant is antiasthmatic,
blood purifier, carminative, cathartic, diuretic, expectorant, hypotensive, stimulant and vasodilator. A tincture is
used to prevent worms and colic in children, and also as a remedy for croup (Moerman, 1998). The raw root can
be eaten to reduce blood pressure and also to ease shortness of breath. Although no other specific mention of
medicinal uses has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the
diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system.
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Edible Uses: The whole plant is used as marinade during winter. Flowers, leaves and root is used raw or
cooked.
Other Uses: The juice of the plant is used as a moth repellent. The whole plant is said to repel insects and
moles. The juice of the plant can be rubbed on exposed parts of the body to repel biting insects, scorpions etc.
Cultivation details: Prefers moist light well-drained soil. It does not tolerate drought. The bulbs should be
planted fairly deeply.
Propagation: Plants do not need any encouragement; Seeds should be sown in early spring like cultivated
onion. Seedlings should be thinned and replanted in June. They are more than capable of propagating themselves.
Bulbils are produced in abundance in the summer and are the main means by which the plant spreads.
Threat: Habitat degradation, climate change, collected in the wild for food.
Protection measure: Cultivation.
9.20. Artemisia L. (Asteraceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: The following species of Artemisia are occurring in SamtskheJavakheti - A. absinthium L.; A. scoparia Waldst. & Kit.; A. annua L.; A. chamaemelifolia Vill.; A. armeniaca
Lam.; A. vulgaris L.; A. incana (L.) Druce; A. fragrans Willd.
Target species: Artemisia absinthium L. It is very abundant in Meskheti and as well in Javakheti. It is growing mainly in ruderal places near settlements and in road sides. Therefore it was not reasonable to proceed population analysis and mapping of this species.
General characteristics: Perennial growing to 1m by 0.6m. It is in flower from July to August. It is grown
on ruderal places, cultivated beds and dry slopes. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils,
requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires
dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Medicinal Uses: Anthelmintic; Antiseptic; Antispasmodic; Carminative; Cholagogue; Emmenagogue;
Febrifuge; Homeopathy; Hypnotic; Stimulant; Stomachic; Tonic; Vermifuge. Wormwood is a very bitter plant
with a long history of use as a medicinal herb. It is valued especially for its tonic effect on the liver, gallbladder
and digestive system, and for its vermicidal activity (Grieve, 1984). It is an extremely useful medicine for those
with weak and under-active digestion. It increases stomach acid and bile production, improving digestion and the
absorption of nutrients. It also eases wind and bloating and, if taken regularly, helps the body return to full vitality after a prolonged illness (Grieve, 1984). The leaves and flowering shoots are anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory,
antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitumor, carminative, cholagogue, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypnotic, stimulant,
stomachic, tonic and vermifuge (Grieve, 1984). The plant is harvested as it is coming into flower and then dried
for later use. Use with caution, the plant should be taken internally in small doses for short-term treatment only,
preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. It should not be prescribed for children or pregnant
women. The extremely bitter leaves are chewed to stimulate the appetite. The bitter taste on the tongue sets off a
reflex action, stimulating stomach and other digestive secretions. The leaves have been used with some success
in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. The plant is applied externally to bruises and bites. A warm compress has
been used to ease sprains and strained muscles. A homeopathic remedy is made from the leaves. It is used to stimulate bile and gastric juice production and to treat disorders of the liver and gall bladder.
Edible Uses: Condiment. Leaves are occasionally used as a flavouring. Caution is advised, prolonged use is
known to have a detrimental effect - see the notes above on toxicity. This herb was at one time the principal
flavouring in the liqueur 'Absinthe' but its use has now been banned in most countries since prolonged consumption can lead to chronic poisoning, epileptiform convulsions and degeneration of the central nervous system.
Other Uses: The fresh or dried shoots are said to repel insects and mice, they have been laid amongst clothing to repel moths and have also been used as a strewing herb. An infusion of the plant is said to discourage slugs
and insects. The plant contains substances called sesquiterpene lactones, these are strongly insecticidal.
Cultivation details: Succeeds in any soil but it is best in a poor dry one with a warm aspect. Established
plants are very drought tolerant. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a
poor dry soil. Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny
position. Prefers a shady situation according to another report (Grieve, 1984). Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to
8.2.
Propagation: Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates within 2 - 26 weeks at 15°C. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual
pots. They can be planted out in the summer, or kept in pots in a cold frame for the winter and then planted out
in the spring.
158
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Threat: Local population periodically collects big amount of green mass.
Protection measure: Cultivation.
9.21. Crocus L. (Iridaceae)
Species distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti: Only one species was described for Meskheti in the litarature
- C. speciosus M. Bieb., We have found two more species - C. adamii J. Gay and C. reticulatus Steven ex Adams
in Meskheti. One species of Crocus - C. vallicola Herb. is growing on Goderdzi pass on the boundary of Adjara
and Meskheti.
Target species: C. speciosus M. Bieb. is growing in upper mountain belt in Meskheti range above v. Atskuri.
However, we were not able to reach this population and monitor it. For cultivation it is desirable to use cultivated species of this genus C. sativus L. which is a valuable market species and easy to cultivate.
General characteristics: C. sativus is cultivated plant. The wild species are growing of meadows in steep
or gentle slopes covered with grasses. Corm growing to 0.1m by 0.1m. It is in leaf from October to May, in flower
in October. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in
nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil.
Medicinal Uses: Abortifacient; Anodyne; Antispasmodic; Aphrodisiac; Appetizer; Carminative;
Diaphoretic; Emmenagogue; Expectorant; Narcotic; Sedative; Stimulant. Saffron is a famous medicinal herb with
a long history of effective use, though it is little used at present because cheaper and more effective herbs are available (Grieve, 1984). The flower styles and stigmas are the parts used, but since these are very small and fiddly to
harvest they are very expensive and consequently often adulterated by lesser products. The styles and stigmas are
anodyne, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, appetizer, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, sedative
and stimulant (Grieve, 1984). They are used as a diaphoretic for children, to treat chronic haemorrhages in the
uterus of adults, to induce menstruation, treat period pains and calm indigestion and colic (Grieve, 1984). A dental analgesic is obtained from the stigmas. The styles are harvested in the autumn when the plant is in flower and
are dried for later use (Grieve, 1984), they do not store well and should be used within 12 months. This remedy
should be used with caution, large doses can be narcotic and quantities of 10g or more can cause an abortion. From
the flower extracts of Crocus speciosus nine flavonol glycosides have been isolated. One of these products is a
new flavonol glycoside identified as kaempferol 3-O-alpha-(2,3-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl) rhamnopyranoside
(Norbaek, Kondo T., 1999).
Edible Uses: Colouring; Condiment; Tea. The flower styles are commonly used as flavouring and yellow
colouring for various foods such as bread, soups, sauces, rice and puddings (Grieve, 1984). They are an essential
ingredient of many traditional dishes such as paella, bouillabaisse, risotto milanese and various other Italian dishes. The styles are extremely rich in riboflavin. Yields per plant are extremely low; about 4000 stigmas yield 25g
of saffron. Saffron is the world's most expensive spice, it takes 150,000 flowers and 400 hours work to produce 1
kilo of dried saffron. About 25 kilos of styles can be harvested from a hectare of the plant. Fortunately, only very
small quantities of the herb are required to impart their colour and flavour to dishes. Because of the cost, saffron
is frequently adulterated with cheaper substitutes such as marigold flowers and saffron Dyer's. The flower styles
are used as a tea substitute. Root - cooked. The corms are toxic to young animals.
Other Uses: The yellow dye obtained from the stigmas has been used for many centuries to colour cloth
(Grieve, 1984). It is the favoured colouring for the cloth of Indian swamis who have renounced the material world.
A blue or green dye is obtained from the petals.
Cultivation details: Prefers a well-drained sandy or loamy soil that is free from clay. Prefers a sunny position (Grieve, 1984). Grows well on calcareous soils and on hot sheltered stony banks. Plants are very frost hardy.
They also thrive in areas with poor summers, though they usually fail to flower in such conditions. Plants produce
less saffron when grown on rich soils. Saffron has been cultivated for over 4,000 years for the edible dye obtained
from the flower stigmas. There is at least one named form. 'Cashmirianus' comes from Kashmir and has large high
quality corms. It yields about 27 kilos of rich orange stigmas per hectare. When inhaled near to, the flowers have
a delicate perfume. Unlike most members of this genus, the flowers do not close of a night time or in dull weather. The flowers are only produced after hot, dry summers. Plants tend to move considerably from their original
planting place because of their means of vegetative reproduction, it is therefore wise not to grow different species
in close proximity. Any planting out is best done in late spring or early summer. Plants take 4 - 5 years to come
into flowering from seed.
Propagation: Seed - according to some reports this species is a sterile triploid and so does not produce fertile seed. However, if seed is obtained then it is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed can be
sown in the spring in a cold frame. Germination can take 1 - 6 months at 18°C. Unless the seed has been sown
saqarTvelos
mkvlevarTa
kavSiri `orqisi"
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too thickly, do not transplant the seedlings in their first year of growth, but give them regular liquid feeds to make
sure they do not become deficient. Divide the small bulbs once the plants have died down, planting 2 - 3 bulbs
per 8cm pot. Grow them on for another 2 years in a greenhouse or frame and plant them out into their permanent
positions when dormant in late summer. It takes 3 years for plants to flower from seed. Division of the clumps in
late summer after the plant has died down. The bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.
Threat: Collected in the wild for flower market.
Protection measure: Cultivation, it is desirable to substitute this species by cultivated Saffron Crocus Crocus sativus.
9.22. Taxus L. (Taxaceae)
Target species: Taxus baccata L. is growing in Borjomi area and in Adjara adjacent to Samtskhe-Javakheti.
In Meskheti is known from the herbarium data in Goderdzi Pass, in Meskheti range near v. Anda and in Zekari
Pass. However, we did not find any of these populations.
General characteristics: An evergreen gymnospermous tree growing to 15m by 10m at a slow rate. It is in
leaf all year, in pollination from March to April, and the seeds ripen from September to November. Seeds naked,
surrounded only by fleshy, red, cup-shaped aril. The species is dioecious (individual sporophylls are either male
or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed
is required) and are pollinated by wind. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils,
requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils
and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light
woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Medicinal Uses: Antispasmodic; Cancer; Cardiotonic; Diaphoretic; Emmenagogue; Expectorant;
Homeopathy; Narcotic; Purgative. The yew tree is a highly toxic plant that has occasionally been used medicinally, mainly in the treatment of chest complaints. Modern research has shown that the plants contain the substance
'taxol' in their shoots. Taxol has shown exciting potential as an anti-cancer drug, particularly in the treatment of
ovarian cancers (Bown, 1995). Unfortunately, the concentrations of taxol in this species are too low to be of much
value commercially, though it is being used for research purposes. This remedy should be used with great caution
and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. All parts of the plant, except the fleshy fruit, are antispasmodic, cardiotonic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, narcotic and purgative. The leaves have been
used internally in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, hiccup, indigestion, rheumatism and epilepsy. Externally,
the leaves have been used in a steam bath as a treatment for rheumatism. A homeopathic remedy is made from the
young shoots and the berries. It is used in the treatment of many diseases including cystitis, eruptions, headaches,
heart and kidney problems, rheumatism etc.
Edible Uses: Seeds - raw. The seed has fleshy aril about 10mm in diameter.Very sweet and gelatinous, most
people find it delicious though some find it sickly. A number of people who like the flavour do not like the texture which is often described as being 'snotty'. All other parts of this plant, including the seed, are highly poisonous. When eating the aril you should spit out the large seed found in the centre. Should you swallow the whole
seed it will just pass straight through you without harm. If it is bitten into, however, you will notice a very bitter
flavour and the seed should immediately be spat out or it could cause some problems. Some reports suggest using
the bark as a tea substitute, this would probably be very unwise.
Other Uses: Fuel; Ground cover; Hedge; Incense; Insecticide; Wood. Very tolerant of trimming, this plant
makes an excellent hedge. The plants are often used in topiary and even when fairly old, the trees can be cut back
into old wood and will resprout (Huxley, 1992). One report says that trees up to 1000 years old respond well to
trimming (Huxley, 1992). A decoction of the leaves is used as an insecticide. Some cultivars can be grown as a
ground cover when planted about 1 metre or more apart each way. 'Repandens' has been recommended. Wood heavy, hard, durable, elastic, takes a good polish but requires long seasoning. Highly esteemed by cabinet makers, it is also used for bows, tool handles etc. It makes a good firewood. The wood is burnt as an incense.
Cultivation details: A very easy plant to grow, it is extremely tolerant of cold and heat, sunny and shady
positions, wet and dry soils, exposure and any pH (Huxley, 1992). Thrives in almost any soil, acid or alkaline, as
long as it is well-drained. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Sensitive to soil compaction by roads etc. Very shade
tolerant. Tolerates urban pollution. In general they are very tolerant of exposure, though plants are damaged by
severe maritime exposure. A very cold hardy plant when dormant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°C.
The fresh young shoots in spring, however, can be damaged by frosts. Plants are dioecious, though they sometimes change sex and monoecious trees are sometimes found. Male and female trees must be grown if fruit and
seed is required. The fruit is produced mainly on the undersides of one-year old branches. A very long lived tree.
Very old trees are kept in nature preserve Batsara located in Pankisi gorge in Eastern Georgia. One report suggests
160
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
that a tree in Perthshire is 1500 years old, making it the oldest plant in Britain. Another report says that trees can
be up to 4000 years old. It is, however, slow growing and usually takes about 20 years to reach a height of 4.5
metres. Young plants occasionally grow 30cm in a year but this soon tails off and virtually no height increase is
made after 100 years. The bark is very soft and branches or even the whole tree can be killed if the bark is removed
by constant friction such as by children climbing the tree. Plants produce very little fibrous root and should be
planted in their final positions when still small (Huxley, 1992). The fruit is greatly relished by thrushes.
Propagation: Seed - can be very slow to germinate, often taking 2 or more years. It is best sown as soon as
it is ripe in the autumn when it should germinate 18 months later. Stored seed may take 2 years or more to germinate. 4 months warm followed by 4 months cold stratification may help reduce the germination time (Dirr, Heuser,
1987). Harvesting the seed 'green' (when fully developed but before it has dried on the plant) and then sowing it
immediately has not been found to reduce the germination time because the inhibiting factors develop too early.
Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on in pots in a
cold frame. The seedlings are very slow-growing and will probably require at least 2 years of pot cultivation
before being large enough to plant out. Any planting out is best done in late spring or early summer, after the last
expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe terminal shoots, 5 - 8cm long, July/August in a shaded frame. Should root
by late September but leave them in the frame over winter and plant out in late spring.
Threat: Climate change. Green mass is collected in big amounts in different regions of Georgia for drug
industry, which threatens species survival. Branches are collected for flower market for decorative purposes.
Protection measure: Cultivation.
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INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
10. Species status and proposed IUCN categories for medicinal plants of
Samtskhe-Javakheti
On the base of inventory of rare medicinal plant populations on Samtskhe-Javakheti in 2005-2006 we determined
species which are characterized by smallest populations and are endangered (Table 43). The total area occupied by a
species in this region was measured, total number of individuals in populations was calculated, spatial structure, sociability, vitality and fertility of individuals inside population was defined and threats were determined. The results are presented in Table 43.
Table 43. Total area of populations, total number of populations and population status of target rare medicinal plant species of
Samtskhe-Javakheti.
N Species name
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Althaea armeniaca
Ten. (Malvaceae)
Colchicum speciosum
Steven (Liliaceae)
Daphne glomerata
Lam.(Thymelaeaceae)
Digitalis ferruginea L.
(Scrophulariaceae)
Gagea chanae Grossh.
(Liliaceae)
Galanthus alpinus Sosn.
(Amaryllidaceae)
Gentiana septemfida
Pall. (Gentianaceae)
Ephedra procera Fisch.
& C.A. Mey.
(Ephedraceae)
Helichrysum
polyphyllum Ledeb.
(Asteraceae)
Helichrysum
plicatum DC.
(Asteraceae)
Helichrysum plintocalyx
(K. Koch) Sosn.
(Asteraceae)
Lilium kesselringianum
Miscz. (Liliaceae)
Orchis coriophora L.
(Orchidaceae)
Pulsatilla violacea
Rupr. (=P. georgica
Rupr.; Ranunculaceae)
Rhododendron
caucasicum Pall.
(Ericaceae)
Sambucus tigranii
Troitzk.
(Caprifoliaceae)
Scabiosa caucasica
M.Bieb. (Dipsacaceae)
Scorzonera
dzhawakhetica Sosn. ex
Grossh. (Asteraceae)
Senecio rhombifolius
(Adams) Sch. Bip.
(Asteraceae)
Viola suavis M. Bieb.
(Violaceae)
162
Total area
(m2 )
Total No
of Individuals
Spatial
Structure
Sociability
Vitality,
Fertility
Disturbances
1105
810
Regular
1
1
3
1001215
8215
Clustered
2
1; 2
1; 2; 3; 4
1100300
6700
Clustered
3
1; 2
2; 3
11010
225
Random,
Clustered
1; 2
1; 2
2; 3; 4; 5
400
1240
Random
2
1
3
30
85
Clustered
2
2
1; 2
4100
2200
Clustered
2
1
3; 4
10350505
5145
Regular,
Clustered
4
1
2; 3; 5
1
47
Clustered
3
1
1
4150
1900
Clustered
3
1
2; 3; 4
100
100
Clustered
3
1
3
5
2
Random
1
1
2
755
132
Random
1
1
3
5003321
3866
Random
1
1
2; 3
44140000
19500
Regular
4
1; 2
2; 3
200
19
Clustered
2
1
4
22450
3350
Random
1
1
2; 3; 4
1500
300
Random
1
1
2; 3
141000
3600
Regular
1
1
2; 3
2020
327
Random
1
1
2; 3; 4
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
This data show that some species - Lilium kesselringianum; Sambucus tigranii; Galanthus alpinus;
Helichrysum polyphyllum; Helichrysum plintocalyx and Orchis coriophora occupy very small area and possess a
few individuals in the region. To use IUCN criteria for determination of IUCN categories, the main idea is that
the area of distribution and number of species should be determined globally in the whole area of species distribution to consider that this species is threatened in a global scale. In this case, it will be possible to give any category of IUCN to target species. We have checked information on general distribution of species and their rarity
in other regions of Georgia, Caucasus or in the world in two herbaria - TBI and TGM and in literature.
Special attention was paid to the determination of population status and vitality and fertility of species, are they
reproducing ones or not. Threats were determined. In case if plants are harvesting in big amount as medicinal
plants for pharmaceutical industry, this was considered as important impact, which might threaten species survival
even if currently its population will be abundant. To make careful comparison of all data to the IUCN criteria we
have determined IUCN categories for studied species and propose the status for further acceptance by IUCN
(Table 44).
According to our survey two species - Lilium kesselringianum and Scorzonera dzhawakhetica should be considered as endangered (EN) species as there are very few individuals in total in the distribution area of these
species. Lilium kesselringianum is highly decorative species, which is very difficult even for botanists to find it
in Georgia, so few individuals are remained. Scorzonera dzhawakhetica is local endemic represented by two populations in Meskheti and Javakheti. It is species growing on calcareous rocks and therefore very sensitive to habitat choice. Therefore we suppose to give to these species category EN.
6 species correspond to the category vulnerable (VU) according to data obtained during the inventory of the
rare medicinal plants in Samtskhe-Javakheti - Colchicum speciosum; Galanthus alpinus; Helichrysum plintocalyx; Orchis coriophora; Sambucus tigranii and Senecio rhombifolius. This category is already appropriate to
Sambucus tigranii, which is included in IUCN Red Data List as VU. Orchis coriophora as orchid of moist habitats distributed in wetlands is proposed world-wide as vulnerable species. We proposed this category to this
species earlier, when investigated status of orchid species in Georgia (Akhalkatsi et al., 2003). Helichrysum plintocalyx is Caucasian endemic species with small area of species distribution only in eastern Georgia and only in
dry areas. This species is harvested as medicinal plant together with other species of Helichrysum and consequently the populations are threatened. The other 3 species - Colchicum speciosum; Galanthus alpinus and Senecio
rhombifolius are more abundant species with wide distribution in Georgia. However, they are harvested as medicinal plants for industrial use and the populations are threatened. The appropriation of high IUCN status should be
helpful for conservation of these species.
Helichrysum polyphyllum and Taxus baccata are considered as candidates for status NT in our list.
Helichrysum polyphyllum in Meskheti was represented by only one population. This is confirmed as well by
herbarium data. Hence, in TBI is specimen from the same population we have found. This might be a confirmation that other populations are not found in this region. Although, there are different area of distribution of this
species in Georgia. However, this is Georgian endemic and is not very abundant. Not many populations are found
from herbarium material. Taxus baccata is relic and recently some industrial firma undertake collection of fresh
biomass of this species in the wild, which threatens its populations. The fact that we did not find individuals in
Meskheti, which according to herbarium data should be there, indicates, that the number of the individuals
declines and at least in this region this species is threatened.
All other species did not meet requirements to determine IUCN status. Although, they are rare or even endangered in a regional scale for Samtskhe-Javakhety. Not any of investigated plants are very abundant, or occupy big
areas. But according to IUCN criteria they are not threatened in a global scale. Therefore we have to consider protection measure for these species in a local scale and think about that these plants will not be harvested in the wild.
Table 44. Proposed IUCN categories and criteria determined for target species of rare medicinal plants of Samtskhe-Javakheti. The
total distribution and current status.
N Species name
1
Lilium kesselringianum
Miscz. (Liliaceae)
2 Scorzonera dzhawakhetica
Sosn. ex Grossh. (Asteraceae)
3
Colchicum speciosum
Steven (Liliaceae)
Proposed IUCN
IUCN
criteria
Category
Current status, overall distribution, threats
EN
B2ab(iii), D
EN
B2, ab(iii), D
VU
A1d, C2b
Georgian endemic, Grows in Abkhazeti and Guria (Bakhmaro).
We have found one population in Meskheti. There is one more
location known from herbarium (TBI) near Tabatskuri lake in Trialeti.
Georgian endemic, RDB of Georgia, only two population are known
for the species. We described both, one in Meskheti, near v. Ota and
main population on Tetrobi Plateau in Javakheti. Grows on calcareous
rocks.
Ornamental plant
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4
Galanthus alpinus Sosn.
(Amaryllidaceae)
VU
A1d, C2b
Georgian endemic, IUCN (DD), RDB USSR, CITES. It is collected
illegally instead of Galanthus woronowii for trade market and exported.
5
Helichrysum plintocalyx
(K. Koch) Sosn. (Asteraceae)
VU
B2, ab(iii)
Caucasian endemic, distributed in Kartli, Kiziki, Gardabani and
Meskheti. Very small populations grow on stony dry slopes in middle
and upper monatane belt.
6
Orchis coriophora L.
(Orchidaceae)
VU
A1c, B2a(iii)
CITES; Grows in wetlands, It is expected that populations will be
extinct due to global warming and disturbance of wetland areas.
7
Sambucus tigranii Troitzk.
(Caprifoliaceae)
VU
B1ab(iii)
It was considered an endemic of Armenia, but recently found in South
Georgia. In Georgia only known from one population of 19
individuals, of which only 6 are mature.
8
Senecio rhombifolius (Adams)
Sch. Bip.(Asteraceae)
VU
A1d, B2b (v), C2b Caucasian endemic, RDB of Georgia, Distributed in many regions of
Georgia; It is collected in big amounts for industrial utilization.
9 Helichrysum polyphyllum
Ledeb. (Asteraceae)
NT
B2, ab(iii)
Georgian endemic, distributed in Racha-Lechkhumi, Guria, Adjara,
Kartli and Trialeti. One population is known from herbarium (TBI) on
Zekari pass. The same population we have described.
10 Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae)
NT
A1d, C2b
RDB Georgia, RDB USSR, CITES, Population abundance declines due
to collection for decorative purposes and for industrial utilization. In
Meskheti was known from several locations, but disappeared.
11 Allium victorialis L. (Liliaceae) LC
Rare, Ornamental
12 Althaea armeniaca Ten.
(Malvaceae)
LC
Rare, Ornamental
13 Althaea officinalis L.
(Malvaceae)
LC
RDB Georgia, Cultivated, naturalized, used in traditional medicine.
14 Artemisia absinthium L.
(Asteraceae)
LC
Grows in ruderal places, is collected in big amounts for traditional
medicine and human beeing.
15 Crocus speciosus
M. Bieb. (Iridaceae)
LC
Threatened, Ornamental
16 Daphne glomerata Lam.
(Thymelaeaceae)
LC
Rare, Ornamental
17 Digitalis ferruginea
L. (Scrophulariaceae)
LC
Rare, Ornamental
18 Gagea chanae Grossh.
(Liliaceae)
LC
Caucasian endemic
19 Gentiana septemfida
Pall. (Gentianaceae)
LC
Rare, Ornamental, Collected in big amount for traditional medicine.
20 Ephedra procera Fisch.
& C.A. Mey. (Ephedraceae)
LC
Habitat degradation is expected
21 Helichrysum plicatum DC.
(Asteraceae)
LC
Threatened, Ornamental
22 Helichrysum graveolens
(M. Bieb.) Sweet (Asteraceae)
LC
Threatened, Ornamental
23 Pulsatilla violacea Rupr.
(=P. georgica Rupr.;
Ranunculaceae)
LC
Threatened, Ornamental
24 Rhododendron caucasicum
Pall. (Ericaceae)
LC
Ornamental
25 Scabiosa caucasica M.Bieb.
(Dipsacaceae)
LC
Threatened, Ornamental
26 Viola suavis M. Bieb.
(Violaceae)
LC
Rare, Ornamental
27 Viola odorata L.
(Violaceae)
LC
Garden plant, naturalized
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GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
11. Ex situ Conservation
11.1. Seed Collection
Table 45. List of seeds delivered to ELKANA by GSNE "Orchis".
Seeds collected in expeditions from July to October 2005 in Samtskhe-Javakheti.
N
Name of Plant
Localities
Date of collection
1
2
3
4
Althaea armeniaca Ten. (Malvaceae) Mallow
Althaea officinalis L. (Malvaceae) Mallow
Colchicum speciosum Steven (Liliaceae) Naked Ladies
Digitalis ferruginea L. (Scrophulariaceae) Rusty Foxglove
21.09.2005
13.08.2005
07.07.2005
21.09.2005
5
Gentiana septemfida Pall. (Gentianaceae) Gentian
Naokhari, Akhaltsikhe distr.
Abastumani, Adigeni distr.
Mt. Erbo, Adigeni distr.
Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani,
Adigeni distr.
Zekari Pass, Adigeni distr.
6
7
Helichrysum plicatum DC. (Asteraceae) Yellow Daisy
Rhododendron caucasicum Pall. (Ericaceae) Caucasian
Rhododendron
Pulsatilla violacea Rupr.
(=P. georgica Rupr.; Ranunculaceae)
Violet Pasque Flower
Pulsatilla violacea Rupr. (=P. georgica Rupr.);
(Ranunculaceae) Violet Pasque Flower
Scabiosa caucasica M.Bieb. (Dipsacaceae)
Caucasian Scabious
Scabiosa caucasica M.Bieb. (Dipsacaceae)
Caucasian Scabious
Scorzonera dzhawakhetica Sosn. ex Grossh.
(Asteraceae) Djavakhetian Viper's Grass
Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. Bip.
(Asteraceae) Groundsel
Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. Bip.
(Asteraceae) Groundsel
v. Anda, Akhaltsikhe distr.
Fersati range, Adigeni distr.
15.08.2005
17.08.2005
Khanchali Lake,
Ninotsminda distr.
23.06.2005
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
21.09.2005
Niala range, Aspindza distr.
Mt. Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr.
v. Gorelovka,
Ninotsminda distr.
Tetrobi Plateau,
Akhalkalaki distr.
Zekari Pass, Adigeni distr.
Mt. Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr.
23.08.2005
18.08.2005
22.08.2005
15.08.2005
13.08.2005
18.08.2005
11.2. Living Collection
Table 46. List of plants sown in the living collection of Tbilisi.
N
1.
N
S1
2.
S2
3.
S3
4.
S4
5.
S5
6.
S6
7.
S7
8
S8
Name of Plant
Scabiosa caucasica
M.Bieb. (Dipsacaceae) Caucasian Scabious
Pulsatilla violacea Rupr. (=P. georgica Rupr.;
Ranunculaceae) Violet Pasque Flower
Gentiana septemfida Pall.
(Gentianaceae) Gentian
Senecio rhombifolius (Adams)
Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae) Groundsel
Digitalis ferruginea L.
(Scrophulariaceae) Rusty Foxglove
Pulsatilla violacea Rupr. (=P. georgica Rupr.;
Ranunculaceae) Violet Pasque Flower
Helichrysum plicatum DC.
(Asteraceae) Yellow Daisy
Althaea armeniaca Ten. (Malvaceae) Mallow
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
Localities
Date of collection
v. Gorelovka, Ninotsminda distr. 22.08. 2005
Niala range, Aspindza distr.
Zekari Pass, Adigeni distr.
23.08. 2005
Niala range, Aspindza distr.
21.09. 2005
Zekari Pass, Adigeni distr.
13.08.2005
21.09.2005
Zekari Pass, Adigeni distr.
Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani,
Adigeni distr.
Khanchali Lake,
Ninotsminda distr.
Naokhari, Akhaltsikhe distr.
23.06.2005
15.08 2005
21.09.2005
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INVENTORY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
Table 47. List of plants sown in the living collection of Tsnisi
N
Name of Plant
Localities
Date of collection
1.
2.
3.
4.
Naokhari, Akhaltsikhe distr.
Abastumani, Adigeni distr.
Mt. Erbo, Adigeni distr.
Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani,
Adigeni distr.
Zekari Pass, Adigeni distr.
21.
13.
07.
21.
5.
Althaea armeniaca Ten. (Malvaceae) Mallow
Althaea officinalis L. (Malvaceae) Mallow
Colchicum speciosum Steven (Liliaceae) Naked Ladies
Digitalis ferruginea L. (Scrophulariaceae) Rusty
Foxglove
Gentiana septemfida Pall. (Gentianaceae) Gentian
6.
Helichrysum plicatum DC. (Asteraceae) Yellow Daisy
V. Anda, Akhaltsikhe distr.15. 08. 2005
7.
Pulsatilla violacea Rupr. (=P. georgica Rupr.;
Ranunculaceae) Violet Pasque Flower
Pulsatilla violacea Rupr. (=P. georgica Rupr.;
Ranunculaceae) Violet Pasque Flower
Scabiosa caucasica M.Bieb. (Dipsacaceae)
Caucasian Scabious
Scabiosa caucasica M.Bieb. (Dipsacaceae)
Caucasian Scabious
Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch.
Bip. (Asteraceae) Groundsel
Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. Bip.
(Asteraceae) Groundsel
Khanchali Lake,
Ninotsminda distr.
Niala range, Aspindza distr.
23. 08. 2005
Mt. Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr.
18. 08. 2005
V. Gorelovka,
Ninotsminda distr.
Zekari Pass, Adigeni distr.
22. 08. 2005
Mt. Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr.
13. 08. 2005
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
09.
08.
07.
09.
2005
2005
2005
2005
21. 09. 2005
23. 06. 2005
13. 08. 2005
Table 48. List of plants introduced in the living collection of Tbilisi
N
N
Name of Plant
Localities
Date of collection
1.
M1
Viola suavis M. Bieb. (Violaceae) Violet
24. 03. 2005
2.
M2
Gagea chanae Grossh. (Liliaceae) Yellow Star
3.
M3
4.
M4
17. 05. 2005
5.
M5
v. Ota, Aspindza distr.
23. 09. 2005
6.
M6
7.
M7
8.
M8
9.
M9
Galanthus alpinus Sosn.
(Amaryllidaceae) Snowdrop
Pulsatilla violacea Rupr. (=P. georgica
Rupr.; Ranunculaceae) Violet Pasque Flower
Scorzonera dzhawakhetica Sosn. ex Grossh.
(Asteraceae) Djavakhetian Viper's Grass
Helichrysum plicatum DC. (Asteraceae)
Yellow Daisy
Gentiana septemfida Pall.
(Gentianaceae) Gentian
Digitalis ferruginea L.
(Scrophulariaceae) Rusty Foxglove
Colchicum speciosum Steven
(Liliaceae) Naked Ladies
R. Mtkvarii,
Akhaltsikhe distr.
v. Atskuri, .
Akhaltsikhe distr
v. Tsriokhi,
Akhaltsikhe distr
v. Rustavi, Aspindza distr
166
26. 03. 2005
26. 03. 2005
Zekari Pass, v.
21. 09. 2005
Abastumani, Adigeni distr.
Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani, 21. 09. 2005
Adigeni distr.
Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani, 21. 09. 2005
Adigeni distr.
Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani, 21. 09. 2005
Adigeni distr.
GEORGIAN SOCIETY OF NATURE EXPLORERS “ORCHIS“
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
12. Conclusions and Recommendations
The following results are obtained during the project realization:
1. IUCN categories are determined for all 27 target species. Sambucus tigranii Troitzk. (Caprifoliaceae) is
already included in the IUCN RDL as vulnerable (VU); 2 species are proposed to be endangered (EN) - Lilium
kesselringianum Miscz. (Liliaceae) and Scorzonera dzhawakhetica Sosn. ex Grossh. (Asteraceae); 5 as vulnerable (VU) - Colchicum speciosum Steven (Liliaceae);
Galanthus alpinus Sosn. (Amaryllidaceae);
Helichrysum plintocalyx (K. Koch) Sosn. (Asteraceae); Orchis coriophora L. (Orchidaceae); Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae); 2 as nearly threatened (NT) - Helichrysum polyphyllum Ledeb.
(Asteraceae) and Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae). All others are determined as least concerned (LC) in a global
scale. However, all 27 species are rare and threatened in this region. Therefore collection in the wild for this
species is unacceptable.
2. Local population was interviewed for traditional use of medicinal plants in folk medicine both in Georgia and
Turkey, in Artvin province, where local population are Georgians. The data show that in Meskheti and partly
in Javakheti people actively are using herbal medicine and have valuable indigenous knowledge on preparation of remedies. However, in Turkey people are no more using herbs as medicine and have only some information how they were used in the past. Only shepherds and foresters were collecting some plants. It is concluded that even if local population in Samtskhe-Javakheti is collecting plants for own use, it does not threatens natural populations of species. However, when plant is collected for pharmaceutical industry to produce
drugs in a big amount, it leads to extinction of populations in the region, as it was a case with Vinca herbacea
near v. Tsnisi.
3. Cultivation and propagation methodology is determined for every target species, which will help to local farmers to cultivate medicinal plants in own grounds. This is especially important for that species, which are collected for industrial pharmaceutics or herbal market in big amount that they were cultivated. Such species are
- Colchicum speciosum Steven (Liliaceae); Galanthus alpinus Sosn. (Amaryllidaceae); Senecio rhombifolius
(Adams) Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae); Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae); Althaea officinalis L. (Malvaceae); Digitalis
ferruginea L. (Scrophulariaceae); Gentiana septemfida Pall. (Gentianaceae); Ephedra procera Fisch. & C.A.
Mey. (Ephedraceae); Helichrysum graveolens (M. Bieb.) Sweet (Asteraceae); Viola odorata L. (Violaceae).
4. Mapping of rare and endangered medicinal plant species is undertaken. This information will be valuable for
future monitoring of these populations to determine species survival chances and status in the future.
5. Current state of flora and vegetation is described for the region and photo archive of many rare, endemic and
endangered plants is created. This information will give a good base for further botanical survey of the region.
6. Germplasm of target species in a form of seeds was collected and kept in ELKANA. It will be good if seeds
will be collected again and send to different germplasm collections.
7. Living collections were used for testing cultivation and propagation methodology.
8. Field survey has revealed that anthropogenic impact such as heavy grazing, wood cutting, over exploration of
medicinal plants are the cases threatening plant species in Samtskhe-Javakheti. It is necessary to develop legislation to protect effectively economically important plant species. Collection in the wild should be strictly
controlled by legislation.
9. To ensure in situ conservation of plants it is necessary to establish new nature reserves. We support idea to
establish managed reserve in Tetrobi Plateau where 6 species of the RDB Georgia occurs - Asphodeline taurica, Hypericum thethrobicum, Scorzonera dzhawakhetica, S. ketzkhowelii, S. kozlowskyi and Anchonium
elichrysifolium. According to our data, Scorzonera dzhawakhetica, which is represented by only two populations in Meskheti and javakheti is growing in Tetrobi Plateau.
10. Another nature reserve will be good to establish in Shavsheti range, Mt. Erbo where are four lakes including
lake Triala and might be serve as wonderful recreation zone for tourists. In this area is growing single population of Lilium kesselringianum and many other rare and endemic species - Colchicum speciosum, Senecio
rhombifolius, Galanthus alpinus, Dactylorhyza romana ssp. georgica, D. urvilleana, Orchis coriophora, O.
mascula ssp. longicalcarata, Aquilegia caucasica etc.
11. Single population of IUCN species Sambucus tigranii (VU) in Georgia is located in Aspindza district near
Tmogvi fortress on road side and is threatened to be damaged during upcoming road construction works. It is
possible that the entire population will be cut if the road will be widened. It is necessary to undertake rapid
conservation steps to ensure survival of this single population of unique plant species.
BIOLOGICAL FARMING ASSOCIATION “ELKANA”
167
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172
Appendices
Appendices
danarTi 1. samcxe-javaxeTis regionis endemuri saxeobebi (aneli da sxv. 1969; Gvritishvili, Kimeridze, 2001).
❍ saqarTvelos endemebi, ž● kavkasiis endemebi
Appendix 1. Endemic plant species occuring in Samtskhe-Javakheti region (according to Aneli et al., 1969; Gvritishvili,
Kimeridze, 2002).O❍ Endemics of Georgia, ● Endemics of Caucasus
N endemi
Endemic
1
2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
●
❍
●
●
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
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❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
❍
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❍
●
●
●
❍
●
●
●
●
●
●
❍
❍
❍
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
●
●
●
●
●
●
❍
❍
❍
●
●
●
●
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
●
❍
●
●
●
●
laTinuri saxeli
Latin Name
botanikur-geografiuli regioni
Botanical Geographic Region
3
Acantholimon glumaceum (Jaub.et Spach) Boiss.
Achillea sedelmeyerana Sosn.
Aconitum nasutum Fisch. ex Rechb.
Agasyllis latifolia (M. Bieb.) Boiss.
Alchemilla adelodictya Juz.
Alchemilla alexandri Juz.
Alchemilla aurata Juz.
Alchemilla bakurianica Sosn.
Alchemilla erectilis Juz.
Alchemilla georgica Juz.
Alchemilla grandidens Juz.
Alchemilla hypotricha Juz.
Alchemilla indurata Juz.
Alchemilla insignis Juz.
Alchemilla microdictya Juz.
Alchemilla pascualis Juz.
Alchemilla pycnotricha Juz.
Alchemilla subsplendens Bus.
Allium karsianum Fomin
Allium kunthianum Vved.
Allium leucanthum K. Koch
Allium ponticum Miscz. ex Grossh.
Androsace raddeana Somm. & Levier
Anthemis iberica M. Bieb.
Anthyllis irenae Juz.
Anthyllis lachnophora Juz.
Aquilegia caucasica (Ledeb.) Rupr.
Arenaria steveniana Boiss.
Astragalus argillosus Manden.
Astragalus aspindzicus Manden. & Chinth.
Astragalus cyri Fomin ex Grossh (A. glaucophylloides
auct. fl. cauc. non Bornm.)
Astragalus goktschaicus Grossh.
Astragalus iljinii Rzazade (A. calycinus auct. non M. Bieb. p.p.)
Astragalus kadshorensis Grossh.
Astragalus kozlowskyi Grossh. (=Astragalus arguricus Bunge)
Astragalus leonidae Manden. (=Astragalus sevangensis Grossh.)
Astragalus massalskyi Grossh. ex Fed.
Astragalus meskheticus Manden.
Astragalus raddeanus Regel
Astragalus vardziae Charadze & Chinth.
Astragalus vavilovii Tamamsch. & Fed.
Astrantia trifida Hoffm. (=Astrantia biebersteinii Trautv.)
Atropa caucasica Kreyer
Bromopsis biebersteinii (Roem. & Schult.) Holub
(Bromus biebersteinii Roem.& Schult.)
Bupleurum sosnowskyi Manden.
Campanula raddeana Trautv.
Carduus onopordioides Fisch. ex M. Bieb.
Centaurea gulissaschvilii Dumbadze
Centaurea transcaucasica Sosn. ex Grossh.
Cephalaria armeniaca Bordz.
4
Javakheti
Javakheti
Kartli, Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti
Different regions of Georgia
Javakheti
Different regions of Georgia
Different regions of Georgia
Different regions of Georgia
Javakheti
Different regions of Georgia
Different regions of Georgia
Different regions of Georgia
Javakheti
Different regions of Georgia
Different regions of Georgia
Kartli, Javakheti
Javakheti
Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Javakheti
Meskheti
Kartli, Meskheti
Javakheti
Trialeti, Javakheti
The Minor Caucasus
Different regions of Georgia
The Caucasus
The Caucasus
Meskheti
Meskheti
Different regions of Georgia
Javakheti, Meskheti
The Minor Caucasus
Kartli, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli, Javakheti
Meskheti
Meskheti
The Minor Caucasus
Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Meskheti
Meskheti
Javakheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli, Javakheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Meskheti
Meskheti
Kartli, Meskheti
Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Meskheti
Meskheti
The Minor Caucasus
The Minor Caucasus
173
danarTebi
1
2
51.
●
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
❍
❍
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57.
58.
59.
●
●
●
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
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❍
❍
●
69.
70.
●
●
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
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93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
❍
●
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❍
❍
●
100.
101.
102.
❍
●
●
174
3
Cephalaria gigantea (Ledeb.) Bobr.
4
Kartli, Gardabani, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli,
Javakheti, Meskheti
Cerastium argenteum M. Bieb.
Kartli, Meskheti
Cerastium sosnowskyi Schischk.
Kartli, Javakheti, Meskheti
Chaerophyllum confusum Woronow
Meskheti
Chaerophyllum humile Steven (C. kiapazi Woronow ex Schischk.) The Caucasus
Chaerophyllum roseum M. Bieb.
Kartli, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli, Javakheti,
Meskheti
Cirsium caucasicum (Adams) Petrak
Kartli, Trialeti, Meskheti
Cirsium osseticum (Adams) Petrak
Kartli, Trialeti
Cirsium simplex C. A. Mey.
Kartli, Gardabani, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli,
Javakheti, Meskheti
Convallaria transcaucasica Utkin ex Grossh.
Kartli, Trialeti, Meskheti
Corydalis alexeenkoana N. Busch
Kartli, Javakheti, Meskheti
Crataegus caucasica K. Koch
Kartli, Trialeti, Meskheti
Daphne axilliflora (Keissl.) Pobed.
Kartli, Gardabani, Meskheti
Delphinium flexuosum M. Bieb.
Javakheti, Meskheti
Delphinium schmalhausenii Albov
Javakheti, Meskheti
Delphinium thamarae Kem.-Nath.
Different regions of Georgia
Dianthus azkurensis Sosn.
Meskheti
Dianthus caucaseus Smith
Almost in all mountain regions of
Georgia
Dianthus inamoenus Schischk.
Kartli, Gardabani, Meskheti
Dianthus subulosus Freyn & Conrath
Kartli, Gardabani, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli,
Javakheti, Meskheti
Echinops cirsifolius K. Koch
Javakheti, Meskheti
Echinops transcaucasicus Iljin
Meskheti
Erysimum aureum M. Bieb.
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
Erysimum caucasicum Trautv.
Kartli,Meskheti
Eunomia rotundifolia C. A. Mey.
Javakheti
Euonymus leiophloea Steven
The Caucasus
Euphorbia armena Prokh.
Kartli,Meskheti
Euphorbia macroceras Fisch. & C. A. Mey.
Kartli, Trialeti, Meskheti
Euphrasia caucasica Juz.
Kartli, Meskheti
Euphrasia grossheimii Kem.-Nath.
Different regions of Georgia
Euphrasia sosnowskyi Kem.-Nath. (E. carthalinica Kem.-Nath.) Different regions of Georgia
Fritillaria latifolia Willd.
Kartli,Meskheti
Gagea alexeenkoana Miscz.
Kartli, Javakheti
Gagea chanae Grossh.
The Caucasus
Genista transcaucasica Schischk.
Kartli, Meskheti
Gladiolus caucasicus Herb.
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti
Gladiolus dzavakheticus Eristavi
Javakheti
Gypsophila stevenii Fisch. ex Schrank
The Minor Caucasus
Gypsophila tenuifolia M. Bieb.
Almost in all mountain regions of Georgia
Hedysarum sericeum M. Bieb.
The Caucasus
Helianthemum georgicum Juz. & Pozd.
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
Helichrysum plintocalyx (K. Koch) Sosn.
Kartli, Gardabani, Meskheti
(=Helichrysum rubicundum (K. Koch) Bornm.)
Helichrysum polyphyllum Ledeb.
Meskheti
Heracleum chorodanum (Hoffm.) DC.
Gardabani, Meskheti
Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden.
Kartli, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli, Meskheti
Heracleum transcaucasicum Manden.
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti
Heracleum wilhelmsii Fisch. & Ave-Lall.
Kartli,Meskheti
Hieracium incarniforme Litv. & Zahn
Javakheti, Meskheti
Hieracium pannoniciforme Litv. & Zahn
Kartli, Gardabani, Trialeti, Kvemo
Kartli, Javakheti,Meskheti
Hieracium ruprechtii Boiss. (=Hieracium tephrocephalum Vuk.) Javakheti, Meskheti
Isatis reticulata C. A. Mey.
Javakheti, Meskheti
Koeleria fominii (Domin) Gontsch. [=K. caucasica
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti
(Domin) B. Fedtsch. subsp. fominii (Domin) Mosulischvili]
Appendices
1
2
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
117.
118.
119.
●
●
●
●
●
●
❍
●
❍
❍
●
●
●
●
❍
●
●
120.
121.
122.
123.
124.
125.
126.
127.
128.
129.
130.
❍
●
●
❍
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●
❍
●
●
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●
131.
❍
132.
●
133.
❍
134.
135.
136.
●
●
●
137.
138.
●
●
139.
❍
140.
●
141.
142.
143.
144.
145.
146.
147.
148.
149.
150.
151.
❍
❍
●
●
❍
❍
❍
●
●
❍
●
3
4
Linaria schirvanica Fomin
Lotus caucasicus Kuprian ex Juz.
Medicago hemicycla Grossh.
Melampyrum caucasicum Bunge
Muscari sosnowskyi Schchian
Nepeta grossheimii Pojark. (=Nepeta strictifolia Pojark.)
Nepeta iberica Pojark.
Nonea intermedia Ledeb.
Onobrychis kemulariae Chinth.
Onobrychis meschetica Grossh.
Onobrychis oxytropoides Bunge
Ornithogalum schmalhausenii Albov
Orobanche gamosepala Reut.
Orobanche pulchella (C. A. Mey.) Novopokr.
Orobus ciliatidentatus (Czefr.) Avasneli
Paederotella pontica (Rupr. ex Boiss.) Kem.-Nath.
Paeonia caucasica (Schipcz.) Schipcz.
(P. corallina Retz. var. caucasica Schipcz.)
Paeonia steveniana Kem.-Nath.
Papaver oreophilum Rupr.
Pimpinella aromatica M. Bieb.
Podospermum idae Sosn.
Polygala mariamae Tamamsch.
Polygala transcaucasica Tamamsch.
Polygonum dshawachischwilii Charkev.
Potentilla brachypetala Fisch. & C.A. Mey. ex Lehm.
Potentilla caucasica Juz.
Primula cordifolia Rupr.
Primula ruprechtii Kusn.
The Minor Caucasus
Different regions of all Georgia
Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli,Meskheti
Kartli, Javakheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli, Javakheti
Kartli,Meskheti
Kartli, Javakheti, Meskheti
Different regions of Georgia
Kartli, Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Javakheti
Kartli,Meskheti
Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti
Meskheti
Meskheti
Psephellus carthalinicus Sosn.
[=Centaurea carthalinica (Sosn.) Sosn.]
Psephellus dealbatus (Willd.) K. Koch
(Centaurea dealbata Willd.; C. Tschuchrukidzei Czer.)
Psephellus meskheticus (Sosn.) Sosn.
(=Centaurea meskhetica Sosn.)
Pulsatilla georgica Rupr.
Pulsatilla violacea Rupr.
Pyrus caucasica Fed.
Pyrus georgica Kuth.
Ranunculus brachylobus Boiss. & Hohen.
(=R. dzhavacheticus Ovcz.)
Ranunculus caucasicus M. Bieb.
(=R. transcaucasicus Kem.-Nath.)
Ranunculus grandiflorus L. (=R. elegans K. Koch)
Reaumuria kuznetzovii Sosn. & Manden.
Salvia compar Trautv. ex Grossh.
Scilla rosenii K. Koch
Scilla winogradowii Sosn.
Scorzonera dzhawakhetica Sosn. ex Grossh.
Scorzonera ketzkhowelii Sosn. ex Grossh.
Scorzonera kozlowskyi Sosn. ex Grossh.
Scrophularia diffusa Somm. & Levier
Sempervivum pumilum M. Bieb.
Sempervivum sosnowskyi Ter - Chatsch.
Senecio massagetovii Schischk. [Iranecio massagetovii
(Schischk.) C. Jeffrey]
Kartli,Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Meskheti
Kartli,Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti
Meskheti
Kartli, Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Javakheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli, Javakheti,
Meskheti
Meskheti
The Minor Caucasus
Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Javakheti
Kartli, Gardabani, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli,
Meskheti
Kartli,Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Gardabani, Trialeti, Kvemo
Kartli, Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli,Meskheti
Kartli,Meskheti
Kartli, Javakheti, Meskheti
Meskheti
Javakheti, Meskheti
Javakheti
Javakheti
Kartli,Meskheti
The Caucasus
Kartli,Meskheti
The Caucasus
175
danarTebi
1
2
3
4
Kartli, Trialeti, Meskheti
Kartli, Meskheti
Kartli, Gardabani, Kvemo Kartli,
Meskheti
Kartli, Gardabani, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli
Javakhet, Meskheti
Javakhet
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
The Caucasus
Kartli, Trialeti, Meskheti
Kvemo Kartli, Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
152.
153.
154.
●
●
●
Senecio propinquus Schischk.
Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. Bip.
Seseli grandivittatum (Somm. & Levier) Schischk.
155.
●
Solidago caucasica Kem.-Nath.
156.
157.
158.
159.
160.
161.
●
●
●
●
●
●
162.
●
Sonchus ketzkhowelii Schischk.
Sorbus caucasigena Zinserl.
Stellaria anagalloides C. A. Mey. ex Rupr.
Symphytum caucasicum M. Bieb.
Taraxacum confusum Schischk.
Tephroseris subfloccosa (Schischk.) Czerep.
(=Senecio subfloccosus Schischk.)
Teucrium nuchense K. Koch
163.
164.
165.
166.
167.
168.
169.
170.
171.
172.
173.
174.
175.
176.
177.
●
●
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❍
❍
●
❍
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
❍
Thymus collinus M. Bieb
Thymus coriifolius Ronn. (=T. sosnowskyi Grossh.)
Tragopogon kemulariae Kuth.
Tragopogon ketzkhowelii Kuth.
Tragopogon makaschwilii Kuth.
Tragopogon marginatus Boiss. & Buhse
Tragopogon meskheticus Kuth.
Tragopogon serotinus Sosn.
Tripleurospermum transcaucasicum (Manden.) Pobed.
Valeriana eriophylla (Ledeb.) Utkin
Valeriana tiliifolia Troitzk.
Vicia akhmaganica Kazar.
Vicia grossheimii Ekvtim.
Viola somchetica K. Koch
Ziziphora borzhomica Juz.
176
Kartli, Gardabani, Trialeti, Kvemo Kartli,
Javakheti, Meskheti
Different regions of Georgia
Kartli, Meskheti
Javakheti
Javakheti
Javakheti
Kartli, Meskheti
Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti, Meskheti
Kartli, Trialeti,Meskheti
The Minor Caucasus
Kartli, Trialeti, Javakheti
Kartli, Trialeti,Meskheti
Kartli, Meskheti
Appendices
danarTi 2. samcxe-javaxeTisa da qarTlis regionebis ekonomikurd mniSvnelovan mcenareTa saxeobebis nusxa
m. gvritiSvilisa da m. qimeriZis (Gvritishvili, Kimeridze, 2002) mixedviT.
Appendix 2. List of economically valuable plant species of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kartli regions (according to
Gvritishvili, Kimeridze, 2002).
A. xeebi da buCqebi
A. Trees and Shrubs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Acer campestre L.
Acer laetum C. A. Mey.
Acer platanoides L.
Acer trautvetteri Medw.
Alnus barbata C. A. Mey.
Amelanchier ovalis Medik., (=A. rotundifolia (Lam.)
Dum.-Cours)
7. Berberis vulgaris L.
8. Betula litwinowii Doluch.
9. Betula pendula Roth
10. Carpinus betulus L. (=C. caucasica Grossh.)
11. Carpinus orientalis Mill.
12. Cerasus avium (L.) Moench
13. Cerasus incana (Pall.) Spach
14. Padellus mahaleb (L.) Vass. [=Cerasus mahaleb (L.)
Mill.]
15. Cytisus ruthenicus Wol. (=Cytisus caucasicus Grossh.)
16. Cornus mas L.
17. Corylus avellana L.
18. Cotinus coggygria Scop.
19. Cotoneaster integerrimus Medik.
20. Crataegus curvisepala Lindm.
21. Crataegus orientalis Pall. ex M. Bieb.
22. Crataegus pentagyna Waldst. & Kit.
23. Crataegus pontica K. Koch
24. Cydonia oblonga Mill.
25. Elaeagnus angustifolia L.
26. Empetrum hermaphroditum Lange ex Hagerup
27. Ephedra distachya L.
28. Ephedra procera Fisch. & C.A. Mey.
29. Euonymus europaea L.
30. Fagus orientalis Lipsky
31. Ficus carica L.
32. Frangula alnus Mill.
33. Fraxinus excelsior L.
34. Grossularia reclinata (L.) Mill.
35. Hippophae rhamnoides L.
36. Juniperus hemisphaerica C. Presl (=Juniperus depressa
Steven)
37. Juniperus oblonga M. Bieb.
38. Ligustrum vulgare L.
39. Lonicera caprifolium L.
40. Lonicera caucasica L.
41. Malus orientalis Uglitzk.
42. Mespilus germanica L.
43. Paliurus spina-christi Mill.
44. Philadelphus caucasicus Koehne
45. Picea orientalis (L.) Link
46. Pinus kochiana Klotzsch ex K.Koch
47. Populus alba L.
48. Populus nigra L.
49. Populus tremula L.
50. Prunus divaricata Ledeb.
51. Prunus spinosa L.
52. Punica granatum L.
53. Pyrus caucasica Fed.
54. Quercus iberica Steven
55. Quercus macranthera Fisch. & C. A. Mey. ex Hohen.
56. Quercus pedunculiflora Steven
57. Rhamnus cathartica L.
58. Rhamnus imeretina Booth
59. Rhododendoron caucasicum Pall.
60. Rhus coriaria L.
61. Ribes alpinum L.
62. Ribes biebersteinii Berl. ex DC.
63. Rosa canina L.
64. Rosa spp.
65. Rubus idaeus L. (=R. buschii Grossh. ex
Sinjkova)
66. Rubus caesius L.
67. Rubus idaeus L.
68. Salix alba L.
69. Salix caprea L.
70. Salix excelsa S. G. Gmel.
71. Sambucus nigra L.
72. Smilax excelsa L.
73. Sorbus aucuparia L. (= S. caucasigena Kom. ex Gatsch.)
74. Sorbus torminals (L.) Crantz
75. Swida australis (C. A. Mey.) Pojark. ex Grossh.
76. Tilia begoniifolia Steven (=T. caucasica Rupr.)
77. Ulmus minor Mill. (= U. carpinifolia Gled.)
78. Ulmus glabra Huds.
79. Vaccinium myrtillus L.
80. Vaccinium uliginosum L.
81. Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.
82. Viburnum lantana L.
83. Viburnum opulus L.
177
danarTebi
B. balaxovani mcenareebi
B. Herbaceous plants
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
178
Achillea millefolium L.
Aconitum confertiflorum (DC.) Gayer (=A. anthora L.)
Aconitum nasutum Fisch. ex Rchb.
Aconitum orientale Mill.
Aconogonon alpinum (All.) Schur. (=Polygonum
alpinum All.)
Adonis aestivalis L.
Agrimonia eupatoria L.
Agrostis gigantea Roth (=A. alba L.)
Agrostis planifolia K. Koch
Agrostis tenuis Sibth. (=A. capillaris L.)
Alisma plantago-aquatica L.
Allium victorialis L.
Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.
Anisantha sterilis (L.) Nevski (=Bromus sterilis L.)
Anthriscus nemorosa (M. Bieb.) Spreng.
Arctium lappa L.
Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) J. & C. Presl
Artemisia absinthium L.
Artemisia fragrans Willd.
Aster amelloides Bess.
Astrantia maxima Mill.
Atropa caucasica Kreyer
Betonica officinalis L.
Bilacunaria microcarpa (M. Bieb.) M. Pimen. & V.
Tichomirov [=Hippomarathrum microcarpum (M.
Bieb.) V. Petrov]
Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P. Beauv.
Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P. Beauv.
Briza elatior Sibth. & Smith (=B. media L.)
Bromopsis inermis (Leyss.) Holub (=Bromus inermis
Leyss.)
Bromopsis variegata (M. Bieb.) Holub
Bromus japonicus Thunb.
Calamagrostis arundinacea (L.) Roth
Capparis herbacea Willd.
Cardamine impatiens L.
Carlina vulgaris L.
Carum carvi L.
Centaurea cheiranthifolia Willd. (=C. fischeri
Schlecht.)
Chenopodium album L.
Cichorium intybus L.
Colchicum speciosum Steven
Coronilla orientalis Mill.
Coronilla varia L.
Dactylis glomerata L.
Delphinium flexuosum M. Bieb.
Digitalis ferruginea L.
Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott
Equisetum arvense L.
Erigeron alpinus L.
Falcaria vulgaris Bernh.
Festuca airoides Lam. (=F. supina Schur)
Festuca arundinacea Schreb.
Festuca pratensis Huds.
Festuca valesiaca Gaudin
Festuca woronowii Hack. (=F. varia Haenke)
Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.
Filipendula vulgaris Moench (=F. hexapetala Gilib.)
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
Fragaria vesca L.
Gadellia lactiflora (M. Bieb.) Schulkina
Galium odoratum (L.) Scop. (Asperula odorata L.)
Geranium ibericum Cav.
Geranium robertianum L.
Geum rivale L.
Geum urbanum L.
Gladiolus caucasicus Herb.
Glyceria spp.
Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
Grossheimia macrocephala (Muss.-Puschk. ex Willd.)
Sosn. & Takht.
67. Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br.
68. Heliotropium europaeum L.
69. Helleborus caucasicus A. Br.
70. Heracleum antasiaticum Manden.
71. Heracleum sosnowsky Manden.
72. Hordeum leporinum Link
73. Hordeum violaceum Boiss. & Huet
74. Hypericum perforatum L.
75. Inula helenium L.
76. Juncus articulatus L.
77. Koeleria spp.
78. Lavatera thuringiaca L.
79. Leonurus quinquelobatus Gilib.
80. Lilium szovitsianum Fisch. & Ave-Lall.
81. Lolium perenne L.
82. Lolium rigidum Gaudin
83. Lotus corniculatus L.
84. Lythrum salicaria L.
85. Malva sylvestris L.
86. Medicago caucasica Vass.
87. Medicago hemicycla Grossh.
88. Medicago lupulina L.
89. Medicago minima (L.) Bartalini
90. Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall.
91. Melissa officinalis L.
92. Mentha arvensis L.
93. Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds.
80. Onobrychis radiata (Desf.) M. Bieb.
81. Origanum vulgare L.
82. Oxalis acetosella L.
83. Phleum alpinum L.
84. Phleum phleoides (L.) Karst.
85. Phleum pratense L.
86. Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
87. Physalis alkekengi L.
88. Pimpinella saxifraga L.
89. Plantago lanceolata L.
90. Plantago major L.
91. Poa alpina L.
92. Poa bulbosa L.
93. Poa nemoralis L.
94. Poa pratensis L.
95. Polemonium caucasicum N. Busch
96. Polygala alpicola Rupr.
97. Polygonum amphibium L.
98. Polygonum carneum K. Koch
99. Polygonum aviculare L.
100. Polygonum persicaria L.
Appendices
101.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
117.
118.
119.
120.
121.
122.
Polypodium vulgare L.
Potamogeton natans L.
Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch.
Potentilla foliosa Somm. & Levier ex Keller
Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl.
Primula macrocalyx Bunge
Pyrethrum carneum M. Bieb.
Pyrethrum coccineum (Willd.) Worosch. [=P. roseum
(Adams) M. Bieb.]
Pyrethrum macrophyllum (Waldst. & Kit.) Willd.
Rubia tinctorum L. (=R. iberica Fisch. ex DC.) K.
Koch
Rumex acetosa L.
Rumex alpinus L.
Salvia glutinosa L.
Sambucus ebulus L.
Sanguisorba officinalis L.
Saponaria officinalis L.
Saxifraga repanda Willd. ex Sternb. (=S. coriifolia
(Somm. & Levier) Grossh.
Scabiosa caucasica M. Bieb.
Scilla rosenii K. Koch
Sedum caucasicum (Grossh.) Boriss. [=S. maximum
(L.) Hoffm.]
Sempervivum transcaucasicum Muirhead (=S. globiferum auct. non L.)
Senecio rhombifolius (Adams) Sch. Bip.
(=Adenostyles rhombifolia (Adams) M. Pimen.)
123. Senecio phatyphylloides Somm. & Levier
(=Adenostyles phatyphylloides (Somm. & Levier)
Czer.]
136. Seseli transcaucasicum (Schischk.) M. Pimen. &
Sdobnina (=Libanotis transcaucasica Schischk.)
124. Solanum nigrum L.
125. Solanum pseudopersicum Pojark.
126. Solidago virgaurea L.
127. Stachys sylvatica L.
128. Swertia iberica Fisch. & C. A. Mey.
129. Taraxacum officinale Wigg.
130. Thalictrum buschianum Kem.-Nath.
131. Tribulus terrestris L.
132. Trifolium ambiguum M. Beib.
133. Trifolium arvense L.
134. Trifolium campestre Schreb.
135. Trifolium canescens Willd.
136. Trifolium pratense L.
137. Trifolium repens L.
138. Tussilago farfara L.
139. Typha latifolia L.
140. Urtica dioica L.
141. Valeriana officinalis L.
142. Veratrum lobelianum Bernh.
143. Vicia sativa L.
179
danarTebi
danarTi 3. samcxe-javaxeTis regionSi gavrcelebul samkurnalo mcenareTa nusxa. saxeobaTa statusi gansazRvrulia literaturis monacemTa safuZvelze rogorc: xSiri, iSviaTi, wiTeli wignis saxeobebi (RDB), IUCN, CITES, globalur safrTxeSi
myofi (sxva qveynebis wiT. wignSi Setanili), safrTxeSi myofi (gansazRvrulia im saxeobebisaTvis romelTa Segroveba bunebaSi
intensiurad xdeba). monacemTa deficiti. (arasruli monacemebi) da endemebi (kavkasiis endemebi da saqarTvelos endemebi).
naCvenebia dekoraciuli Rirebuleba. saxeobebis statusSi naCvenebia agreTve regionisaTvis ucxo, magram sasoflo- sameurneo
savargulebidan naturalizebuli saxeobebi.
Appendix 3. List of medicinal plants distributed in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. Status of a species is determined according to
literature date as abundant, rare, Red Data Book species (RDB), IUCN, CITES, globally threatened (included in RDB of other
countries), threatened (determined for species intensively collected in the nature), DD (data deficien t) and endemics
(Caucasian endemic and Georgian endemic). Ornamental value of a species is indicated. Species which are not aboriginal for
the region and are naturalized from the agriculture are also indicated in the species status.
N
samecniero saxeli
Scientific name
1
2
1.
Achillea biebersteinii Afan.(Asteraceae)
2.
3.
4.
Achillea millefolium L.(Asteraceae)
Aconitum nasutum Fisch. (Ranunculaceae)
Aconitum orientale Mill. (Ranunculaceae)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Agrimonia eupatoria L. (Rosaceae)
Agropyron repens (L.) P.Beauv. (Poaceae)
Allium cardiostemon
Fisch. & C.A.Mey. (Liliaceae)
A. ponticum Miscz. ex Grossh. (Liliaceae)
A. rotundum L (Liliaceae)
Allium victorialis L. (Liliaceae)
Allium vineale L. (Liliaceae)
Althaea armeniaca Ten. (Malvaceae)
Althaea hirsuta L.(Malvaceae)
14.
Althaea officinalis L. (Malvaceae)
15.
Amelanchier ovalis Medik.
(=A. rotundifolia Dum.Cours.; Rosaceae)
Anagallis arvensis L. (Primulaceae)
Anemonastrum fasciculatum (L.) Holub
(=Anemone umbellata Willd.) (Ranunculaceae)
Anethum graveolens L. (Apiaceae)
Antennaria dioica (L.) Gaertn. (Apiaceae)
Anthemis dumetorum Sosn. (Asteraceae)
Anthemis iberica M. Bieb. (Asteraceae)
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
qarTuli
saxeli
Georgian
common name
3
inglisuri
saxeli
English
common name
4
saxeobis
statusi
Status
biberStainis
farsmanduki
farsmanduki
tilWiri
tilWiri
Bieberstein's
Yarrow
Common Yarrow
Aconite
Oriental Aconite
DD
birkava
Agrimony
mxoxavi Wanga Couch Grass
veluri niori Wild Garlic
Rare
DD
Rare, Ornamental
DD
DD
Rare, Ornamental
Marsh Mallow
RDB Georgia,
Ornamental
DD
Snowy Mespilus
sapovnela
babawvera
Scarlet Pimpernel
Anemone
Rare, Sxamiani
DD
Ornamental
Dill
Cultivated, Naturalized
Cat's Foot
DD
Chamomile
Cauc. endemic
Iberian Chamomile Cauc. endemic,
Ornamental
Chamomile
DD
26.
27.
28.
29.
Artemisia dracunculus L. (Asteraceae)
Tarragon
30.
Aruncus dioicus (Walter) Fernald
mekenZala
(=A. vulgaris Raf.; Rosaceae)
Asparagus caspius Hohen. (= A. officinalis, satacuri
23.
24.
25.
31.
180
tarxuna
Globally Threatened
DD
DD
Ornamental
Abundant
Abundant
DD
Wild Garlic
Wild Garlic
Alpine Leek
False Garlic
Mallow
Pubescent Mallow
gvelis niori
yanis niori
mTis RanZili
cru niori
xomeWi
Sebusvili
tuxti
samkurnalo
tuxti
yvavtyemali
kama
busustana
iraga
iberiuli
iraga
Anthemis macroglossa Sommier & Levier ; iraga
(Asteraceae)
Anthemis subtinctoria Dobrocz. (Asteraceae) iraga
Anthyllis lachnophora Juz.
kurdRlis
(=A. vulneraria L. subsp. subscaposa
balaxi
Cullen; Fabaceae)
Anthyllis vulneraria L. (Fabaceae)
kurdRlis
balaxi
Apium graveolens L. (Apiaceae)
niaxuri
Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae)
orovandi
Artemisia absinthium L. (Asteraceae)
abzinda
22.
5
Chamomile
Lady's Finger
DD
DD
Lady's Finger
Abundant
Wild Celery
Great Burdock
Absinthe
Cultivated, Naturalized
Rare
DD
Sxamiani
Cultivated, Naturalized
Goat's Beard
Asparagus
DD,
Ornamental
DD
Appendices
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
1
L. var. caspius (Hohen.) Asch. & Graebn.;
Liliaceae)
Asparagus officinalis L. (Liliaceae)
Asparagus caspius Schult. & Schult. fil.
(=A. officinalis L. p. p.) (Liliaceae)
Asperula glomerata (M. Bieb.) Grisb.
(Rubiaceae)
Asplenium septentrionale (L.) Hoffm.
(Aspleniaceae)
Astragalus cicer L. (=A. mucronatus DC.;
Fabaceae)
Astracanthe microcephala (Willd.) Podl.
(Fabaceae)
Atraphaxis caucasica (Hoffm.) Pall.
(Polygonaceae)
Berberis orientalis C.K. Schneid.
(Berberidaceae)
Berberis vulgaris L .(Berberidaceae)
Betula litwinowii Doluch. (Betulaceae)
Betula pendula Roth
(=B. verrucosa Ehrh.; Betulaceae)
Bidens tripartita L. (Asteraceae)
Borago officinalis L. (Boraginaceae)
Brassica elongata Ehrh. (Brassicaceae)
Bryonia dioica Jacq. (Cucubirtaceae)
2
baRis satacuri Garden Asparagus
kaspiuri
Caspian Asparagus
satacuri
CitisTvala
Squinancy Wort
Wild Lentil
Globally Threatened
glerZi
Tragacanth
Abundant
xorcifera
Atrapaxis
DD
aRmosavluri
kowaxuri
kowaxuri
litvinovis
aryi
meWeWebiani
aryi
orkbila
kitrisuna
rafsi
leSura
Oriental Barberry
Rare
European Barberry
Litvinovi's Birch
Abundant
DD
European White
BirchE
Bidens
Common Borage
Elongated Mustard
Bryony
Rare
qvapura
Thorow Wax
Butomus umbellatus L. (Butomaceae)
50.
Caltha palustris L. (Ranunculaceae)
didbaia
51.
52.
53.
Caltha polypetala Hochst. (Ranunculaceae)
Cannabis ruderalis Janisch. (Cannabaceae)
Capsella bursa pastoris
(L.) Medik. (Brassicaceae)
Carduus thoermeri Weinm. (Asteraceae)
Carlina vulgaris L. (Asteraceae)
Carpinus betulus L. (Betulaceae)
Carum carvi L. (Apiaceae)
Carum caucasicum (M. Bieb.)
Boiss. (Apiaceae)
Carum meifolium
(M. Bieb.) Boiss. (Apiaceae)
Centaurea glehnii Trautv. (Asteraceae)
Centaurea huetii Boiss. (Asteraceae)
Centaurea solstitialis L. (Asteraceae)
Centaurium erythraea Rafn.
(=C. umbellatum Gilib.; Gentianaceae)
Centaurium pulchellum (Sw.) Druce
(Gentianaceae)
Cerasus avium (L.) Moench (Rosaceae)
Chamaesciadium acaule (M. Bieb.)
Boiss. (Apiaceae)
Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub
(=Epilobium angustifolium L.; Onagraceae)
Chelidonium majus L.(Papaveraceae)
wylis buera
Marigold
veluri kanafi Hemp
wiwmatura
Shepherd's Purse
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
DD
astragali
49.
60.
61.
62.
63.
DD
DD
Rare
mrgvalfoTola Round Leaved
qvapura
Thorow Wax
Calayvavila
Butomus
59.
5
Grass Fern
48.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
4
miaswara
Bupleurum commutatum Boiss. & Bal.
(Apiaceae)
Bupleurum rotundifolium L. (Apiaceae)
47.
3
Marsh Marigold
Globally Threatened
DD
DD
Rare,
Poisenous
DD
DD
Globally Threatened,
Ornamental
DD,
Ornamental
Rare
DD
Abundant
narSavi
narisjaga
rcxila
kvliavi
kavkasiuri
kvliavi
kvliavi
Thistle
Carline Thistle
European hornbeam
Caraway
Caucasian Caraway
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
Caraway
Rare
RiRilo
RiRilo
ekalcocxi
asisTava
Knapweed
Knapweed
St. Barnaby's Thistle
European Centaury
DD
DD
Invasive
DD
asisTava
Centaury
Rare, Ornamental
bali
cxvris
kvliavi
wyalnawyeni
Wild Cherry
Chamaesciadium
DD
DD
Fireweed
Rare, Ornamental
qristesisxla
Greater Celandine
DD
181
danarTebi
1
2
3
4
5
69.
70.
Chenopodium album L. (Chenopodiaceae)
Chenopodium ambrosioides
L. (Chenopodiaceae)
Chenopodium botris L. (Chenopodiaceae)
Chenopodium glaucum L.
(Chenopodiaceae)
Cicerbita grandis (K. Koch) Schischk.
(Asteraceae)
Cichorium intybus L. (Asteraceae)
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. (Asteraceae)
Colchicum speciosum Steven (Liliaceae)
Colchicum szovitsii Fisch & C.A. Mey.
(Liliaceae)
Conium maculatum L. (Apiaceae)
Consolida orientalis (J.Gay) Schrod.
(Ranunculaceae)
Convallaria transcaucasica
Utkin (Liliaceae)
Coriandrum sativum L. (Apiaceae)
Cornus mas L. (Cornaceae)
Corydalis angustifolia (M. Bieb.)
DC. (Fumariaceae)
Corydalis erdelii Zucc. (Fumariaceae)
Corylus avellana L. (Betulaceae)
Cotinus coggygria Scop. (Anacardiaceae)
Crambe orientalis L. (Brassicaceae)
Crataegus microphylla K. Koch (Rosaceae)
Crataegus caucasica K. Koch (Rosaceae)
nacarqaTama
nacarqaTama
Chenopodium
Chenopodium
DD
DD
nacarqaTama
nacarqaTama
Chenopodium
Chenopodium
DD
Abundant
DdaTvimxala
Sow Thistle
DD
vardkaWaWa
mindvris nari
ucuna
Sovicis ucuna
Chicory
Meadow Thistle
Naked Ladies
Shovitsi's Naked
Ladies
Poison Hemlock
Oriental
knight's-spur
Transcaucasian
Lily-of-the-valley
Coriander
Cornelian Cherry
Corydalis
Abundant
DD
Threatened, Ornamental
Rare
Howthorn
DD
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
109.
110.
182
Crataegus curvisepala Lindm.
(=C. kyrtostyla Fingerh.; Rosaceae)
Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Rosaceae)
Crataegus pentagyna
Waldst. & Kit. (Rosaceae)
Crataegus pseudoheterophylla
Pojark. (Rosaceae)
Crocus adamii J. Gay
(C. biflorus Mill.) (Iridaceae)
Crocus reticulatus Steven ex Adam
(Iridaceae)
Crocus speciosus M. Bieb. (Iridaceae)
Crocus vallicola Herb. (Iridaceae)
Cuscuta europaea L. (Convolvulaceae)
Cyclamen coum Mill. subsp. caucasicum
(K. Koch) O. Schwarz (= C. vernum Sweet;
Primulaceae)
Cydonia oblonga Mill. (Rosaceae)
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.(Poaceae)
Cynoglossum officinale L. (Boraginaceae)
Cytisus caucasicus Grossh. (Fabaceae)
Daphne glomerata Lam. (Thymelaeaceae)
Daphne mezereum L. (Thymelaeaceae)
Datisca cannabina L.(Datiscaceae)
Datura stramonium L.(Solanaceae)
Daucus carota L. (Apiaceae)
Delphinium ochroleucum
Steven ex DC. (Ranunculaceae)
Delphinium schmalhausenii
Albov (Ranunculaceae)
konio
yanis sosani
SroSana
qinZi
Sindi
buCqisZira
buCqisZira
Txili
Trimli
kotrana
kuneli
kavkasiuri
kuneli
wiTeli
kuneli
kuneli
Savi kuneli
kuneli
DD
DD,
Ornamental
DD,
Ornamental
Cultivated, Naturalized
Abundant
DD,
Ornamental
Corydalis
RDB Georgia, Ornamental
Hazel
DD
Smoketree
DD
Kale
DD
Howthorn
DD
Caucasian Howthorn DD
common Howthorn DD
Howthorn
DD
Common Howthorn DD
adamis zafrana Scotch Crocus
DD
badisebri
zafrana
zafrana
zafrana
abreSuma
yoCivarda
Crocus
DD
Crocus
Crocus
European Dodder
Cyclamen
komSi
glerta
ZaRlis ena
tyis cocxi
wiba
Quince
Bermuda Grass
Hound's Tongue
Broom
Daphne
majaRveri
daTvis kanafi
lema
feriscvala
dezura
February Daphne
False Hemp
Thorn Apple
Wild Carrot
Larkspur
Threatened, Ornamental
Threatened, Ornamental
Invasive
Threatened, Protected by Bern
Convention, CITES,
Ornamental
Cultivated, Naturalized
DD
Abundant
DD
Rare,
Ornamental
Rare,Ornamental
Rare
DD, Poisenous
DD
DD
dezura
Larkspur
DD
Appendices
1
2
3
4
5
111.
futkara
Rusty Foxglove
Rare,Ornamental
Caduna
Mountain Male Fern Abundant
113.
Digitalis ferruginea
L. (Scrophulariaceae)
Dryopteris filix-mas
(L.) Schott (Dryopteridaceae)
Echium vulgare L. (Boraginaceae)
Viper's Burgloss
DD
114.
Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Elaeagnaceae)
lurji
ZirwiTela
fSati
Rare
115.
joris Zua
wyalnawyeni
wyalnawyeni
Epilobium
Epilobium
Rare,Ornamental
Rare,Ornamental
118.
119.
120.
Ephedra procera Fisch. & C.A. Mey.
(Ephedraceae)
Epilobium hirsutum L. (Onagraceae)
Epilobium nervosum
Boiss. & Buhse (Onagraceae)
Epilobium palustre L. (Onagraceae)
Equisetum arvense L. (Equisetaceae)
Erigeron caucasicus Steven (Asteraceae)
Oleaster, Russian
Olive
Ephedra
wyalnawyeni
Svita
cxeniskuda
Epilobium
Common Horsetail
Caucasian Daisy
121.
122.
123.
124.
125.
126.
Erigeron orientalis Boiss. (Asteraceae)
Erigeron venustus Botsch. (Asteraceae)
Euphorbia helioscopia L. (Euphorbiaceae)
Euphrasia caucasica Juz. (Scrophulariaceae)
Euphrasia stricta Host. (Scrophulariaceae)
Ficus carica L. (Moraceae)
cxeniskuda
cxeniskuda
rZiana
kordiskbila
kordiskbila
leRvi
Oriental Daisy
Venus Daisy
Sun Spurge
Eufrasia
Eufrasia
Fig
127.
128.
Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. (Rosaceae)
Filipendula vulgaris Moench.
(=F. hexapetala Gilib.; Rosaceae)
Fragaria vesca L. (Rosaceae)
Frangula alnus Mill. (Rhamnaceae)
qafura
qafura
Meadow Sweet
Meadow Sweet
Rare,Ornamental
DD
Cauc. endemic, Rare,
Ornamental
Rare,Ornamental
Rare,Ornamental
Rare,Ornamental
DD
DD
RDB USSR, Cultivated,
Naturalized
DD
DD
marwyvi
xeWreli
Wild Strawberry
Alder Buckthorn,
Glossy Buckthorn
Syrian Ash
DD
European ash
Drug Fumitory
DD
DD
Fumitory
DD
Yellow Star
Yellow Star
Cauc. endemic
Cauc. endemic
112.
116.
117.
129.
130.
137.
138.
Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl subsp. oxycarpa ifani
(M.Bieb. ex Willd.) Franco & Rocha Afonso
(= F. oxycarpa Willd.; Oleaceae)
Fraxinus excelsior L. (Oleaceae)
ifani
Fumaria officinalis L. (Fumariaceae)
samkurnalo
SavTara
Fumaria schleicheri Soy.-Will.
Slaixeris
(Fumariaceae)
SavTara
Gagea chanae Grossh. (Liliaceae)
qanas CitisTava
Gagea alexeenkoana Miscz. (Liliaceae)
aleqseenkos
CitisTava
Gagea anisanthos K. Koch (Liliaceae)
CitisTava
Galanthus alpinus Sosn. (Amaryllidaceae) TeTryvavila
139.
140.
141.
142.
Galeopsis bifida Boenn. (Lamiaceae)
Galium verum L. (Rubiaceae)
Gentiana cruciata L. (Gentianaceae)
Gentiana angulosa M.Bieb. (Gentianaceae)
Tavcecxla
endronika
naRvela
naRvela
143.
144.
145.
146.
Gentiana gelida M. Bieb. (Gentianaceae)
Gentiana pyrenaica L. (Gentianaceae)
Gentiana septemfida Pallas (Gentianaceae)
Gentianella caucasea (Lodd. ex Sims)
Holub (Gentianaceae)
Geranium dissectum L. (Geraniaceae)
Geranium finitimum Woronow
(= G. pratense L. subsp. finitimum
(Woronow) Knuth; Geraniaceae)
Geranium ibericum Cav. (Geraniaceae)
naRvela
naRvela
asisTava
kavkasiuri
naRvela
nemsiwvera
nemsiwvera
131.
132.
133.
134.
135.
136.
147.
148.
149.
nemsiwvera
Rare
DD
DD
Yellow Star
Snowdrop
DD
Geor. endemic, IUCN (DD),
RDB USSR,CITES,
Ornamental
Bifid Hemp-nettle DD
Lady's Bedstraw
DD
Gentian
Rare
Gentian
Rare, Cauc. endemic,
Ornamental
Gentian
Rare,Ornamental
Gentian
Rare,Ornamental
Gentian
Rare,Ornamental
Caucasian Gentian Rare, Cauc. endemic,
Ornamental
Cutleaf Geranium DD
Meadow Geranium, DD
Field Crane's-bill
Iberian Geranium
DD
183
danarTebi
1
2
150.
4
5
Broad-petaled
Geranium
Hardy Geranium
Herb Robert
DD
151.
152.
Geranium platypetalum
nemsiwvera
Fisch. & C.A. Mey. (Geraniaceae)
Geranium psilostemon Ledeb. (Geraniaceae) nemsiwvera
Geranium robertianum L. (Geraniaceae)
nemsiwvera
153.
154.
Geum rivale L. (Rosaceae)
Geum urbanum L. (Rosaceae)
nigvzisZira
nigvzisZira
155.
156.
yayaCura
winwkala
DD
DD
ukvdava, nego
Yellow Daisy
DD
ukvdava
ukvdava
Yellow Daisy
Yellow Daisy
DD
Cauc. endemic
mravalfoTliani Yellow Daisy
ukvdava
diyi
Hogweed
Geor. endemic
174.
175.
176.
177.
Glaucium corniculatum L. (Papaveraceae)
Gypsophila tenuifolia
M. Bieb. (Caryophyllaceae)
Helichrysum graveolens
(M. Bieb.) Sweet (Asteraceae)
Helichrysum plicatum DC. (Asteraceae)
Helichrysum plintocalyx (K. Koch) Sosn.
(H. arenarium L. var. plintocalyx K. Koch)
(Asteraceae)
Helichrysum polyphyllum
Ledeb. (Asteraceae)
Heracleum chorodanum
(Hoffm.) DC. (Apiaceae)
Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden.
(Apiaceae)
Hesperis matronalis L.(Brassicaceae)
Hibiscus ponticus Rupr. (Malvaceae)
Hieracium pilosella L.(Asteraceae)
Hippophae rhamnoides L.(Elaeagnaceae)
Humulus lupulus L.(Cannabaceae)
Hyoscyamus niger L.(Solanaceae)
Hypericum caucasicum (Woronow)
Gorschk. (Hypericaceae)
Hypericum elongatum Ledeb.(Hypericaceae)
Hypericum grossheimii
Kem.-Nath. ex Fed. (Hypericaceae)
Hypericum hirsutum L.(Hypericaceae)
Hypericum linarioides Bosse
(=H. polygonifolium Rupr.; Hypericaceae)
Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae)
Hyssopus angustifolius M. Bieb.(Lamiaceae)
Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch.(Poaceae)
Inula helenium L.(Asteraceae)
Water Avens
Herb Bennet,
City Avens
Horned Poppy
Gypsophila
178.
179.
Inula britannica L.(Asteraceae)
Juglans regia L. (Juglandaceae)
mziura
kakali
180.
181.
182.
Juniperus communis L.(Cupressaceae)
Juniperus oblonga M. Bieb.(Cupessaceae)
Juniperus oxycedrus L.
(=J. rufescens Link; Cupessaceae)
Juniperus sabina L. (Cupessaceae)
Lamium album L. (Lamiaceae)
Leonurus quinquelobatus Gilib.
(=L. villosus Desf; Lamiaceae)
Lilium kesselringianum Miscz. (Liliaceae)
Rvia
Rvia
Rvia
DD
DD
DD
DD,
Ornamental
British Yellowhead DD
Walnut
RDB Georgia, Cultivated,
Naturalized
Juniper
DD
Juniper
DD
Juniper
DD
Rvia
WinWris deda
Savbalaxa
Juniper
White Dead Nettle
Motherwort
DD
Abundant
DD
Lily
Geor. endemic, Rare,
Ornamental
Ornamental
188.
Lilium szovitsianum
Fisch. & Ave-Lall. (Liliaceae)
Linum catharticum L.(Linaceae)
keselringis
SroSani
Sovicis
SroSani
seli
189.
Linum nervosum Waldst. & Kit.(Linaceae)
seli
157.
158.
159.
160.
161.
162.
163.
164.
165.
166.
167.
168.
169.
170.
171.
172.
173.
183.
184.
185.
186.
187.
184
3
DD
DD,
Ornamental
DD
DD
DD
sosnovskis
diyi
Ramis ia
kenafi
xarnuya
qacvi
svia
lencofa
krazana
Sosnowskyi's
Hogweed
Sweet Rocket
Rosemallow
Hawkweed
Sea Buckthorn
Common Hop
Black Henbane
St. John's Wort
Cauc. endemic, Rare
krazana
krazana
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort
DD
DD
krazana
krazana
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort
DD
DD
krazana
usupi
mawaqi
kulmuxo
St. John's Wort
Hyssop
Cogongrass
Scabwort
Lily
Purging Flax,
Fairy Flax
Flax
DD
Rare, Ornamental
DD
RDB Georgia
DD
Rare, Poisenous
DD
DD
DD
Appendices
1
2
3
4
5
190.
Linum usitatissimum L. (Linaceae)
Common Flax
Cultivated, Naturalized
191.
Lonicera orientalis Lam
(=L. caucasica Pall.; Caprifoliaceae)
Lotus caucasicus Kuprian.
(=L. ciliatus Ten.; Fabaceae)
Lycopus europeus L.(Lamiaceae)
Lythrum salicaria L.(Lythraceae)
Malus orientalis Uglitzk.(Rosaceae)
Malva neglecta Wallr. (Malvaceae)
Malva sylvestris L.(Malvaceae)
Marrubium catariifolium Desr.(Lamiaceae)
Cveulebrivi
seli
werwa
Oriental
Honeysuckle
Caucasian Bird's
Foot Trefoil
Gipsywort
Purple Loosestrife
Oriental Apple
Dwarf Mallow
Blue Mallow
Horehound
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
Horehound
DD
Common
Horehound
Pineapple Weed
DD
Medic, alfalf
Medic, alfalf
Yellow Sweetclover
Common Balm
Corn Mint
Horsemint
Pennyroyal
Bogbean
White Mulberry
Catmint
Caucasus Catnip,
Giant Catmint
Catnip, Catmint
Catnip, Catmint
Catnip, Catmint
Nigella,
Love-in-a-Mist
Black Cumin
Basil
Cudweed
DD
DD
Abundant
DD
DD
DD
Cultivated, Naturalized
DD
Cultivated, Naturalized
DD
DD
DD
Cultivated, Naturalized
DD
192.
202.
203.
204.
205.
206.
207.
208.
209.
210.
211.
212.
kurdRlis
samyura
likopusi
cocxmagara
maJalo
balba
balba
folorcis
balaxi
Marrubium goktschiacum N.Pop.(Lamiaceae) folorcis
balaxi
Marrubium vulgare L.(Lamiaceae)
folorcis
balaxi
Matricaria matricarioides
matrikaria
(Less.) Porter (Asteraceae)
Medicago caucasica Vassilcz. (Fabaceae)
ionja
Medicago dzhawakhetica Bordz.(Fabaceae) ionja
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall.(Fabaceae)
yviTeli ZiZo
Melissa officinalis L.(Lamiaceae)
barambo
Mentha arvensis L.(Lamiaceae)
pitna
pitna
Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds.(Lamiaceae)
Mentha pulegium L.(Lamiaceae)
ombalo
Menyanthes trifoliata L.(Menyanthaceae)
wylis samyura
Morus alba L. (Moraceae)
TeTri TuTa
Nepeta betonicifolia C.A.Mey. (Lamiaceae) katapitna
Nepeta grandiflora M. Bieb.(Lamiaceae)
katapitna
213.
214.
215.
216.
Nepeta grossheimii Pojark.(Lamiaceae)
Nepeta parviflora M. Bieb.(Lamiaceae)
Nepeta sulphurea K. Koch (Lamiaceae)
Nigella segetalis M. Bieb.(Ranunculaceae)
katapitna
katapitna
katapitna
soinji
217.
218.
219.
Nigella sativa L. (Ranunculaceae)
Ocimum basilicum L.(Lamiaceae)
Omalotheca caucasica (Somm. & Levier)
Czer.(= Gnaphalium caucasicum
Somm. & Levier; Asteraceae)
Onobrychis meschetica Grossh.(Fabaceae)
soinji
rehani
berula
193.
194.
195.
196.
197.
198.
199.
200.
201.
220.
221.
222.
223.
224.
225.
226.
227.
228.
229.
230.
Onosma sericeum Willd.(Boraginaceae)
Orchis coriophora L.(Orchidaceae)
Orchis mascula subsp. longicalcarata
Akhalkatsi, H.Baumann, R. Lorenz,
Mosulishvili & R.Peter (Orchidaceae)
Orchis morio subsp. caucasica (K.Koch)
E.G.Camus, Bergon & A.Camus
(Orchidaceae)
Orchis palustris subsp. pseudolaxiflora
(Czerniak.) H. Baumann & R.Lorenz
(Orchidaceae)
Orchis ustulata L.(Orchidaceae)
Origanum vulgare L.(Lamiaceae)
Padus borealis Schubel (=Prunus padus
L.; Rosaceae)
Paeonia caucasica (Schipcz.) Schipcz.
(Paeoniaceae)
Papaver fugax Poir.(Papaveraceae)
Abundant
DD
Cauc. endemic
DD
DD
DD
mesxuri
esparceti
onosma
jadvari
jadvari
Sainfoin
Georg. endemic
Onosma
Orchid
Orchid
DD
CITES, Rare, Ornamental
CITES, Rare, Ornamental
jadvari
Orchid
CITES, Rare, Ornamental
jadvari
Orchid
CITES, Rare, Ornamental
jadvari
TavSava
SoTxvi
Orchid
Oregano
Grapes Cherry
CITES, Rare, Ornamental
DD
DD
iordasalami
Peony
Rare, Ornamental
yayaCo
Poppy
DD
185
danarTebi
1
2
3
4
5
231.
Papaver bracteatum Lindley
(=P. pseudo-orientale (Fedde) Medw.;
Papaveraceae)
Papaver orientale L. (Papaveraceae)
Papaver rhoeas L. (Papaveraceae)
Parietaria chersonensis (Lang & Szov.)
Dörfl. (Urticaceae)
Parietaria judaica L.(Urticaceae)
Parietaria micrantha Ledeb.(Urticaceae)
Pedicularis acmodonta
Boiss.(Scopulariaceae)
Peganum harmala L.(Zygophyllaceae)
yayaCo
Oriental Poppy
IUCN (I), RDB Georgia
yayaCo
yayaCo
kedlispira
Oriental Poppy
Corn Poppy
Pellitory
DD
DD
DD
kedlispira
kedlispira
satilia
Spreading Pellitory DD
Pellitory
DD
Lousewort
DD
mariamsakmela
Wild Rue,
Harmal Peganum
Loosesrife
Red Knees
DD
DD
Butterbur
Parsley
DD
Cultivated, Naturalized
Burnet
Burnet Saxifrage
Pine
DD
DD
DD
English Plantain
DD
Common Plantain
Hoary Plantain
Alpine Milkwort
Anatolian Milkwort
Abundant
DD
DD
DD
Milkwort
DD
Milkwort
DD
Milkwort
Milkwort
DD
DD
Eurasian
Solomon's seal
Whorled
Solomon's Seal
DD,
Ornamental
DD,
Ornamental
warTxali
Cveulebrivi
matitela
Polygonum carneum K. Koch (= P. bistorta dvalura
L. subsp. carneum (K. Koch) Coode &
Cullen; Polygonaceae)
Knotweed
Knotweed
DD
Abundant
Meadow Bistort
Abundant
260.
261.
Polypodium vulgare L.(Polypodiaceae)
Populus tremula L.(Salicaceae)
Common Polypody DD
Aspen
DD
262.
Potentilla anserina L.(Rosaceae)
263.
264.
265.
Potentilla erecta (L.) Raeusch. (Rosaceae)
Potentilla gelida C.A. Mey. (Rosaceae)
Potentilla raddeana
(Th.Wolf) Juz.(Rosaceae)
Potentilla reptans L. (Rosaceae)
232.
233.
234.
235.
236.
237.
238.
239.
240.
241.
242.
243.
244.
245.
246.
247.
248.
249.
250.
251.
252.
253.
254.
255.
256.
257.
258.
259.
266.
186
Peplis alternifolia M.Bieb.(Lythraceae)
peplisi
Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Spach
walika
(=Polygonum hydropiper L.) (Polygonaceae)
Petasites albus (L.) Gaertn.(Asteraceae)
buera
Petroselinum crispum
oxraxuSi
(Mill.) Nyman ex A.W. Hill (Apiaceae)
Pimpinella rhodanta Boiss.(Apiaceae)
anisuli
Pimpinella saxifraga L.(Apiaceae)
gverdela
Pinus kochiana Klotzsch. ex K. Koch
fiWvi
(=P. hamata (Steven)
Sosn. non L.; Pinaceae)
Plantago lanceolata L.(Plantaginaceae)
lanceta
mravalZarRva
Plantago major L.(Plantaginaceae)
mravalZarRva
mravalZarRva
Plantago media L.(Plantaginaceae)
Polygala alpicola Rupr.(Polygalaceae)
wiwinauri
Polygala anatolica Boiss. & Held.
wiwinauri
(Polygalaceae)
Polygala hohenackeriana
wiwinauri
Fisch. & C.A. Mey.(Polygalaceae)
Polygala major Jacq. (=P. amoenissima
wiwinauri
Tamamsch.; Polygalaceae)
Polygala supina Schreb.(Polygalaceae)
wiwinauri
Polygala transcaucasica
wiwinauri
Tamamsch) (Polygalaceae)
Polygonatum multiflorum (L.)
svintri
All.(Convallariaceae)
Polygonatum verticillatum (L.) All.
svintri
(Convallariaceae)
Polygonum alpinum All.(Polygonaceae)
Polygonum aviculare L. (Polygonaceae)
kilamura
mTrTolavi
verxvi
batis marwyva
balaxi
marwyva balaxi
marwyva balaxi
marwyva balaxi
DD
Silverweed
DD
Erect Cinquefoil
Cinquefoil
Cinquefoil
Abundant
Abundant
DD
marwyva balaxi Creeping Cinquefoil DD
Appendices
1
2
3
4
5
267.
268.
Potentilla supina L.(Rosaceae)
Primula macrocalyx Bunge (Primulaceae)
Cinquefoil
Primerose
DD
Threatened, Ornamental
269.
270.
271.
272.
Prunus cerassifera Ehrh.(Rosaceae)
Prunus spinosa L. (Rosaceae)
Pulsatilla violacea Rupr.(Ranunculaceae)
Punica granatum L.
marwyva balaxi
didjama
furisula
tyemali
kvrinCxi
medgari
broweuli
Cherry Plum
Blackthorn
Violet Pasque Flower
Pomegranate
273.
274.
Pyrethrum balsamita (L.) Willd.(Asteraceae)
Pyrethrum carneum M.Bieb.(Asteraceae)
Alecost
Painted Daisy
DD
DD
Rare, Ornamental
RDB Georgia, RDB USSR,
Cultivated, Naturalized
DD
DD
275.
Pyrus caucasica Fed. (= P. communis L.
subsp. caucasica (Fed.) Browicz; Rosaceae)
Pyrus demetrii Kuth.(Rosaceae)
Pyrus georgica Kuth.(Rosaceae)
Pyrus salicifolia Pall.(Rosaceae)
Quercus macranthera Fisch. & C. A.
Mey. ex Hohen.(Fagaceae)
Ranunculus arvensis L.(Ranunculaceae)
Ranunculus sceleratus L.(Ranunculaceae)
Rhamnus cathartica L.(Rhamnaceae)
Rhamnus depressa Grub.(Rhamnaceae)
Rhamnus imeretina Booth (Rhamnaceae)
Rhamnus pallasii Fisch. & C.A. Mey.
(Rhamnaceae)
Rhododendron caucasicum Pall. (Ericaceae)
Pear
Cauc. endemic
Georgian Pear
Georgian Pear
Willow-Leafed Pear
Mountain Oak
Geor. endemic
Cauc. endemic
DD
RDB Georgia
Buttercup
Buttercup
Common Buckthorn
Buckthorn
Buckthorn
Buckthorn
DD
DD
DD
Cauc. endemic
DD
DD
276.
277.
278.
279.
280.
281.
282.
283.
284.
285.
286.
287.
288.
289.
290.
291.
292.
293.
294.
295.
296.
297.
298.
299.
300.
301.
302.
303.
304.
305.
306.
307.
308.
309.
310.
Ribes alpinum L. (Grossulariaceae)
Ribes biebersteinii Berl. ex DC.
(Grossulariaceae)
Ribes orientale Desf.. (Grossulariaceae)
Rosa canina L. (Rosaceae)
Rosa iberica Steven (Rosaceae)
Rosa micrantha Borrer ex Sm.
(=R. floribunda Steven) (Rosaceae)
Rosa mollis Sm. (Rosaceae)
Rosa pimpinellifolia L. (Rosaceae)
Rosa spinosissima L. (Rosaceae)
Rosularia sempervivoides (Fisch.) Boris.
(Crassulaceae)
Rubus idaeus L. (Rosaceae)
Rumex acetosa L. (Polygonaceae)
Rumex crispus L. (Polygonaceae)
Ruta gravelens L.(Rutaceae)
Salix caprea L. (Salicaeae)
Salvia compar Trautv. ex Grossh.
(Lamiaceae)
Salvia glutinosa L. (Lamiaceae)
Salvia sclarea L. (Lamiaceae)
Salvia viridis L. (Lamiaceae)
Sambucus nigra L. (Caprifoliaceae;)
Sanguisorba minor Scop.
(= Poterium polygamum Waldst.& Kit.;
Rosaceae)
Sanguisorba officinalis L.(Rosaceae)
Saponaria officinalis L. (Caryophyllaceae)
Saponaria orientalis L. (Caryophyllaceae)
susambari
wiTeli
gvirila
panta
beryena
beryena
beryena
maRalmTis
muxa
baia
baia
xeSavi
xeWreli
xeWreli
Savjaga
Caucasian
Rhododendron
mTis mocxari Alpine Currant
kldis mocxari Rock Currant
deka
DD
DD
DD
DD
Abundant
DD
DD
askili
Oriental Currant
Dog Rose
Iberian Rose
Smallflower
Sweetbrier
Rose
askili
Savi askili
rozularia
Scotch Rose
Dog Rose
Rosularia
DD
DD
Rare, Ornamental
Jolo
mJauna
Cveulebrivi
Rolo
tegani
tirifi
salbi
Raspberry
Sorrel
Curly Dock
DD
DD
DD
Rue
Goat Willow
Sage
Cultivated, Naturalized
DD
Geor. endemic
Salamandili
xarisvarda
salbi
didgula
uraSa
Sticky Clary
Clary
Annual Clary
Elderberry
Salad Burnet
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
Tavsisxla
sapona
sapona
Burnet
DD
Common Soapwort DD, Ornamental
East Bouncing-bet; DD
Oriental Soapwort
xunwi
askili
askili
askili
DD
187
danarTebi
1
2
3
311.
312.
313.
Satureja hortensis L. (Lamiaceae)
Satureja laxiflora K. Koch. (Lamiaceae)
Satureja spicigera (K. Koch) Boiss.
(Lamiaceae)
Scabiosa caucasica M. Bieb.
(Dipsacaceae)
Scabiosa meskhetica Schchian
(Dipsacaceae)
Scrophularia chrysantha Jaub. & Spach
(Scrophulariaceae)
Scrophularia nodosa L. (Scrophulariaceae)
Scrophularia orientalis L.
(Scrophulariaceae)
Scrophularia rupestris M.Bieb. ex Willd.
(Scrophulariaceae)
Scrophularia rutaefolia Boiss.
(Scrophulariaceae)
Scutellaria galericulata L.(Lamiaceae)
baRis qondari Savory
tyis qondari Savory
onWo
Savory
Scutellaria orientalis L. (=S. orientalis
subsp. sosnowskyi (Takht.) Fed.;
Lamiaceae)
Sedum caucasicum (Grossh.) Boris.
(Crassulaceae)
Sempervivum caucasicum Rupr.
(Crassulaceae)
Senecio aurantiacus (Hoppe ex Willd.)
Less.; Asteraceae)
Senecio platyphylloides Somm. & Levier
(Asteraceae)
Senecio propinquus Schischk. (Asteraceae)
Senecio pseudoorientalis Schischk.
(Asteraceae)
Senecio rhombifolius (Adam) Sch. Bip.
(Asteraceae)
Senecio subfloccosus Schischk. (Asteraceae)
Senecio viscosus L. (Asteraceae)
Sideritis montana L. (Lamiaceae)
Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.
(Asteraceae)
Smilax excelsa L. (Liliaceae)
Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae)
Solanum pseudopersicum Pojark.
(Solanaceae)
Solidago alpestris Waldst. & Kit.
(=S. caucasica Kem.-Nath.; Asteraceae)
Solidago virgaurea L. (Asteraceae)
muzarada
314.
315.
316.
317.
318.
319.
320.
321.
322.
323.
324.
325.
326.
327.
328.
329.
330.
331.
332.
333.
334.
335.
336.
337.
338.
339.
340.
341.
342.
343.
344.
345.
346.
188
Sorbus caucasigena Kom. ex Gatsch.
(Rosaceae)
Sorbus graeca (Spach) Lodd. ex Schauer
(Rosaceae)
Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz (Rosaceae)
Spiraea hypericifolia L. (Rosaceae)
Stachys atherocalyx K. Koch (Lamiaceae)
Stachys balansae Boiss. & Kotschy
(Lamiaceae)
Stachys fruticulosa M. Bieb. (Lamiaceae)
Stachys macrantha (K. Koch) Stearn
(= Betonica grandiflora Willd.; Lamiaceae)
4
5
Cultivated, Naturalized
DD
DD
mesxeTis
folio
Cua
Caucasian
Scabious
Meskhetian
Scabious
Figwort
DD
Savwamala
skrofularia
Figwort
Oriental Figwort
DD
DD
skrofularia
Figwort
DD
skrofularia
Figwort
DD
muzarada
Common Skullcap, DD
Marsh Skullcap
Oriental Skullcap
DD
cisfolio
DD,
Ornamental
Rare, Ornamental
TavyviTela
Caucasian
Stonecrop
Caucasian
Sempervivum
GoldenGroundsel
Cauc. endemic,
Ornamental
DD
TavyviTela
Groundsel
DD
TavyviTela
TavyviTela
Groundsel
Groundsel
Cauc. endemic
DD
xarisSubla
Groundsel
TavyviTela
TavyviTela
sayviTlo
bayayura
Groundsel
Sticky Groundsel
Sideritis
Milk Thistle
Cauc. endemic,
RDB Georgia
Cauc. endemic
DD
DD
DD
ekalRiWi
ZaRlyurZena
ZaRlyurZena
Green Brier
Black Nightshade
Nightshade
DD
DD
DD
kldisduma
kldisvaSla
yvavilwvrila, Alpine Goldenrod
oqrowkepla
oqrowkepla
European
Goldenrod
circeli
Caucasian
Mountain Ash
ampura
Greek Ash
Tameli
grakla
dedafutkara
dedafutkara
Checker Tree
Meadow Sweet
Hedgenettle
Hedgenettle
dedafutkara Hedgenettle
mTis barispira Betony,Big-sage
DD
DD
DD
Rare
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD,
Ornamental
Appendices
1
2
3
4
5
347.
Stachys officinalis (L.) Trevis.
(=Betonica officinalis L.; Lamiaceae)
Stachys pubescens Ten. (Lamiaceae)
Stachys sylvatica L. (Lamiaceae)
samkurnalo
barispira
dedafutkara
dedafutkara
DD
Ornamental
DD
DD
Stellaria media (L.) Vill.
(Caryophyllaceae)
Symphytum asperum Lepechin
(Boraginaceae)
Symphytum caucasicum M. Bieb.
(Boraginaceae)
Tamarix hohenackeri Bunge
(Tamaricaceae)
Tanacetum vulgare L. (Asteraceae)
Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.
(Asteraceae)
Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae)
JunJruki
Betony,Common
Hedgenettle
Hedgenettle
Whitespot, Hedge
woundwort
Common
Chickweed
Prickly Comfrey
348.
349.
350.
351.
352.
353.
354.
355.
356.
Abundant
ialRuni
DD
Cauc. endemic
Blue Comfrey,
DD
Caucasian Comfrey Ornamental
Tamarisk
DD
asfurcela
babuawvera
Tansy
Dandelion
DD
Abundant
uTxovari
Common Yew
RDB Georgia, RDB USSR,
CITES
DD
laSqara
laSqara
Warela
Wall germander
358.
359.
Teucrium chamaedrys L.
(= T. officinale Lam.) (Lamiaceae)
Teucrium nuchense K.Koch (Lamiaceae)
Teucrium orientale L. (Lamiaceae)
Warela
Warela
360.
Teucrium polium L. (Lamiaceae)
kuti balaxi
361.
Thalictrum minus L. (Ranunculaceae)
maJara
362.
363.
364.
365.
366.
Thymus collinus M. Bieb. (Lamiaceae)
Thymus rariflorus K.Koch (Lamiaceae)
Thymus serpyllum L. (Lamiaceae)
Thymus sosnowskyi Grossh. (Lamiaceae)
Thymus transcaucasicus Ronn.
(Lamiaceae)
Tilia begoniifolia Steven
(=T. caucasica Rupr.; Tiliaceae)
Trifolium pratense L. (Fabaceae)
Trigonella coerulea (L.) Ser. (Fabaceae)
urci
urci
begqondara
urci
urci
Germander
Oriental
Germander
Hulwort,
Golden germander
Lesser Meadow
Rue
Thyme
Thyme
Wild Thyme
Thyme
Thyme
cacxvi
Linden
DD
samyura
ulumbo
Red Clover
Fenugreek
ulumbo
Fenugreek
Abundant
Cultivated,
Naturalized
DD
viristerfa
Tela
Coltsfoot
Wych Elm
DD
RDB Georgia
Tela
European field Elm RDB Georgia
357.
367.
368.
369.
374.
375.
376.
377.
378.
Trigonella orthoceras Kar.
& Kir. (Fabaceae)
Tussilago farfara L. (Asteraceae)
Ulmus glabra Huds.
(=U. eliptica K.Koch ; Ulmaceae)
Ulmus minor Mill. (=U. suberosa
Moench; U. foliacea Gilib.; Ulmaceae)
Ulmus georgica Schchian (Ulmaceae)
Urtica dioica L. (Urticaceae)
Urtica urens L. (Urticaceae)
Utricularia minor L. (Lentibulariaceae)
Utricularia vulgaris L.(Lentibulariaceae)
379.
Vaccinium arctostaphyllos L.(Ericaceae)
380.
381.
382.
383.
Vaccinium myrtillus L.(Ericaceae)
Vaccinium uliginosum L.(Ericaceae)
Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. (Ericaceae)
Valeriana alliariifolia Adams
(Valerianaceae)
Valeriana alpestris Steven (Valerianaceae)
370.
371.
372.
373.
384.
Georgian Elm
Nettle
Dog Nettle
Lesser Bladderwort
Common
Bladderwort
maRali mocvi Caucasian
Whortleberry
mTis mocvi
Bilberry
lurji mocvi Bog Blueberry
wiTeli mocvi Cowberry
katabalaxa
Valerian
Tela
WinWari
WinWari
buStosana
buStosana
katabalaxa
Alpine Valerian
DD
DD
DD
Rare
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
RDB Georgia
Abundant
DD
DD
DD
Rare
Rare
Rare
Rare
DD
Rare
189
danarTebi
1
2
3
4
5
385.
Valeriana eriphylla (Ledeb.)Utkin
(Valerianaceae)
Valeriana officinalis L. (Valerianaceae)
Veratrum lobelianum Bernh. (Liliaceae)
Verbascum blattaria L. (Scrophulariaceae)
Verbascum georgicum Benth.
(Scrophulariaceae)
Verbascum gossypinum M. Bieb.
(Scrophulariaceae)
Verbascum laxum Filar. & Jav.
(Scrophulariaceae)
Verbascum oreophyllum K. Koch
(Scrophulariaceae)
Verbascum paniculatum E. Wulff
(Scrophulariaceae)
Verbascum pyramidatum M. Bieb.
(Scrophulariaceae)
Verbascum songaricum Schrenk
(Scrophulariaceae)
Verbascum thapsus L.(Scrophulariaceae)
Verbascum varians Freyn, Sint. & Murb.
(Scrophulariaceae)
Verbena officinalis L.(Verbenaceae)
katabalaxa
Valerian
Rare
katabalaxa
Sxama
qerifqla
qerifqla
Common Valerian
Veratrum
Moth Mullein
Georgian Mullein
Rare
Abundant
DD
Cauc. endemic
qerifqla
Mullein
DD
qerifqla
Mullein
DD
qerifqla
Mullein
DD
qerifqla
Panicled Mullein
DD
qerifqla
Pyramidal Mullein
DD
qerifqla
Mullein
DD
qerifqla
qerifqla
Common Mullein
Mullein
DD
DD
verbena,
cocxana
CaRandri
Common Vervain
DD
Veronica,
Water speedwell
Brooklime,
European speedwel
Twolobe
Speedwell
Threadstalk
Speedwell
Speedwell
DD
386.
387.
388.
389.
390.
391.
392.
393.
394.
395.
396.
397.
398.
400.
Veronica anagallis-aquatica L.
(Scrophulariaceae)
Veronica beccabunga L. (Scrophulariaceae) CaRandri
401.
Veronica biloba L. (Scrophulariaceae)
Bbostnis ia
402.
Veronica filiformis Sm.(Scrophulariaceae)
Bbostnis ia
403.
Veronica gentianoides
Vahl (Scrophulariaceae)
Veronica longifolia L.(Scrophulariaceae)
Bbostnis ia
Bbostnis ia
406.
Veronica multifida L. (= V. arceutobia
Woronow; Scrophulariaceae)
Veronica officinalis L.(Scrophulariaceae)
407.
408.
Veronica persica Poir.(Scrophulariaceae)
Veronica scutellata L.(Scrophulariaceae)
409.
410.
411.
412.
413.
Veronica spuria L. (Scrophulariaceae)
Viburnum lantana L. (Caprifoliaceae)
Viburnum opulus L. (Caprifoliaceae)
Vinca herbacea Waldst. & Kit.
(Apocynaceae)
Viola odorata L. (Violaceae)
dedoflisTiTa Brooklime,
Common
Gypsyweed
bostnis ia
Birdeye Speedwell
bostnis ia
Skullcap
Speedwell
bostnis ia
Speedwell
uzani
Wayfaringtree
Zaxveli
Guelder Rose
gvelis suro Herbaceous
Periwinkle
baRis ia
Sweet Violet
414.
Viola oreades M. Bieb. (Violaceae)
mTis ia
Violet
415.
416.
417.
418.
Viola suavis M. Bieb.(Violaceae)
Viscum album L. (Loranthaceae)
Ziziphora capitata L. (Lamiaceae)
Ziziphora serpyllacea M. Bieb.
(Lamiaceae)
ia
fiTri
urci
urci
Violet
Mistletoe
Ziziphora
Ziziphora
399.
404.
405.
190
Bbostnis ia
Long leaf
Speedwell,
Garden speedwell
Speedwell
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
DD
Rare
Rare
Rare
DD,
Ornamental
DD,
Ornamental
DD
DD
DD
DD
1
2
3
4
5
6
Fig.1 - 1. Meskheti Range; 2. Kodiana Massif, Trialeti range; 3. Niala Massif, Erusheti Range;
4. Mefis-Tskaro Massif, Adjara-Imereti Range; 5. Mt. Erbo, Shavsheti Range; 6. Mt. Chechla.
1
2
3
4
5
Fig.2 - 1. Javakheti Plateau and Abul-Samsari range, view from Mtkvari gorge; 2. Kartsakhi
(Khozafini) Lake; 3. Sagamo Lake; 4. Mada-Tafa Lake; 5. Khanchali Lake.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Fig.3 - 1. Wetland on northern shore of Tabatskuri Lake; 2. Lakes on Mt. Erbo, Shavsheti
Range; 3. Triala Lake on Mt. Erbo; 4. Tsunda Lake, Aspindza distr.; 5. R. Mtkvari near
Tmogvi castle, Aspindza distr.; 6. R. Mtkvari near Atskuri, Akhaltsikhe distr.
1
2
3
4
6
5
Fig.4 - 1. Kvabliani gorge, Monastery Zarzma on the left, Mt. Chechla with snow cover; 2.
Rivers Kvabliani and Potskhovi (on the right) near Arali village, Akhaltsikhe distr.; 3. R.
Otskhe in Adigeni distr. 4. R. Paravani, Akhalkalaki distr.; 5-6. Hills near Arali village in
Meskheti.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Fig.5 - 1. Riparian forest, R. Mtkvari near Akhaltsikhe; 2. Beach-coniferous mixed forest in
Goderdzi Pass, Adigeni distr.; 3. Oak forest with Ostrya carpinifolia near monastery Safara,
Akhaltsikhe distr.; 4. European Hop Hornbeam - Ostrya carpinifolia; 5. Xerophytic shrubland
with Ephedra procera near Khertvisi fortress, Aspindza distr.; 6. Mountain steppes with Stipa
tirsa, near Mada-Tafa Lake, Ninotsminda distr.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Fig.6 - 1. Subalpine tall herbaceous vegetation with Aquilegia caucasica, Mt. Erbo, Adigeni distr.; 2.
Subalpine shrubland with Rhododendron caucasicum, Mt. Erbo, Adigeni distr.; 3. Alpine meadow with
Gentiana angulosa near Khanchali Lake, Ninotsminda distr.; 4. Wet meadow with Orchis coriophora and O.
palustris subsp. pseudolaxiflora near Derceli, Adigeni distr.; 5. Halophilic desert vegetation with Nitraria
schoberi near v.Rustavi, Aspindza distr.; 6.Acantholimon armenum in shibliak near v.Rustavi,Aspindza distr.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Fig.7. Plants growing on Tetrobi Plateau: 1. General view of Tetrobi Plateau; 2. Pinus
kochiana on limestone rock; 3. Subalpine meadow with Cephalaria gigantea; 4. Scorzonera
dzhawakhetica on limestone rocky slope; 5. Sempervivum sosnowskyi; 6. Asphodeline
taurica; 7. Diphelypaea coccinea.
1
2
4
5
3
7
6
Fig.8. Plant species occurring on subalpine meadow in Samtskhe-Javakheti: 1. Stachys
macrantha; 2. Grossheimia macrocephala; 3. Lilium szovitsianum; 4. Geranium ruprechtii; 5.
Geranium psilostemon; 6. Cephalaria gigantea; 7. Gadellia lactiflora.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Fig. 9 Rare and endemic plant species of Samtskhe-Javakheti: 1. Fritillaria latifolia, Zekari Pass; 2.
Dactylorhiza unvilleana, Goderdzi Pass; 3. D. euxina, Tetrobi Plateau; 4. Papaver bracteautum, Vaio
valley,Erusheti Range; 5.Allium kunthianum, v.Abastumani, Adigeni distr.,6. Rosa spinosissima, near v.
Muskhi, Uraveli gorge,Akhaltsikhe distr.;7.Gladiolus dzavakheticus, southern of v.Moliti, Borjomi distr
1
3
2
4
5
6
7
Fig.10 . Medicinal plants used in folk medicine in Samtskhe-Javakheti: 1. Allium rotundum; 2.
Hypericum perforatum; 3. Hyssopus angustifolius; 4. Gentianella caucasea; 5. Origanum
vulgare; 6. Cichorium intybus; 7. Rosa canina.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Fig.11. Traditional use of medicinal plants in Samtskhe-Javakheti: 1. Nino Gozalishvili (left),
children and Natela Chitashvili (right) with dry medicinal plants, Yaila Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr., 2.
Nino Gozalishvili with dry plants: St. John’s Wort, Yellow daisy, Gentian and Caucasian Gentian;
3. Marine Mosulishvili (project participant), Nina Zhuzhunadze and Lida Okromelidze with
collected Yellow Daisy, Oregan and Caucasian Gentian, v. Zanzobi; 4. Medea and Guram
Mamulashvili with St. John’s Wort, v. Abastumani, Adigeni distr.; 5. Maia Akhalkatsi (project
participant) with medicinal plants on Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani, Adigeni distr.; 6. Collector of
medicinal plants Ovanes Avaranian with children, v. Kirovakan, Akhalkalaki distr.
1
3
2
4
5
6
Fig.12. Traditional use of medicinal plants in Turkey, Artvin province: 1. Mamuka
Molashvili showing Lapsana sp.; 2. Sandro Okropiridze (expedition participant) with
Turkish citizens; 3. Collected linden flowers in Hatila Nature Reserve; 4. Turkey
expedition participants - Marine Mosulishvili (left), Sandro Okropirideze (right) and
Maia Akhalkatsi (second from right) with shepherds in Yaila of v. Demirkent; 5. Visit of
Maia Akhalkatsi (right) and Marine Mosulishvili (second from right) at home to Fatma
Akaltun (left) and Gunesh Akaltun (second from left); 6. Marine Mosulishvili, Sandro
Okropiridze, Kemel Kakavan and Maia Akhalkatsi in v. Diobani, Imerkhevi.
1
2
4
5
3
6
7
Fig.13. Industrial medicinal plants: 1. Plantings of Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) in
house garden of Nikoloz Kublashvili, v. Imertubani, Adigeni distr.; 2. Aconitum nasutum
(Aconite); 3. A. orientale (Oriental Aconite); 4. Hippophaë rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn); 5.
Papaver orientale (Oriental Poppy), 6. Vinca herbacea (Periwinkle); 7. Vaccinium myrtillus
(Bilberry).
1
2
3
4
6
5
Fig.14. Rare and endangered medicinal plants: 1. Allium cardiostemon, Tetrobi Plateau; 2.
Asparagus caspius near Slesistsikhe fortress, Akhaltsikhe distr.; 3. Crataegus caucasica near v.
Sakuneti, Akhaltsikhe distr.; 4. Cyclamen coum subsp. caucasicum, Chita-Khevi, Borjomi
distr.; 5. Paeonia caucasica near v. Ota, Aspindza distr.; 6. Vaccinium uliginosum near Yaila
Vale, Akhaltsikhe distr.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Fig.15. Target and related species of medicinal plants and proposed IUCN categories: 1.
Population of Althaea armeniaca between vv. Minadze and Atskuri, right bank of R. Mtkvari;
2. A. armeniaca (LC); 3. A. officinalis (LC); 4. Population of Colchicum speciosum, Zekari
Pass, v. Abastumani, Adigeni distr.; 5. C. speciosum (VU); 6. C. umbrosum Goderdzi Pass,
Adigeni distr.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Fig.16. Target and related species of medicinal plants and proposed IUCN categories: 1,2. Daphne
glomerata (LC) Mt. Erbo, Shavsheti range, Adigeni distr., above v. Lelovani, 3. D. mezereum, Derceli,
Adigeni distr.; 4. D. transcaucasica, Tetrobi Plateau; 5. D. pontica (EN) and Crocus vallicola, Goderdzi
Pass, Adigeni distr.; 6,7. Digitalis ferruginea (LC), Tetrobi Plateau.
2
1
3
4
5
6
7
Fig.17. Target and related species of medicinal plants and proposed IUCN categories: 1.
Ephedra procera (LC), R. Mtkvari gorge, road to Vardzia in opposite to Khrtvisi fortress; 2.
Gagea chanae (LC), road from Aspindza to v. Ota; 3. Galanthus alpinus (VU), Tsriokhistskali
gorge, v.Tsriokhi, Akhaltsikhe distr.; 4. Gentiana septemfida (LC), Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani,
Adigeni distr.; 5. Helichrysum plicatum (LC), Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani, Adigeni distr.; 6. H.
plintocalyx (VU) near v. Niala, Aspindza distr.; 7. H. polyphyllum (NT), Zekari Pass, v.
Abastumani, Adigeni distr.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Fig.18. Target and related species of medicinal plants and proposed IUCN categories: 1.
Lilium kesselringianum (EN), Mt. Erbo, Shavsheti range, Adigeni distr., above v. Lelovani; 2.
Orchis coriophora (VU), Adigeni distr., between vv. Mokhe and Dertseli; 3. Pulsatilla georgica
(LC), near Lake Khanchali, Ninotsminda distr.; 4. Rhododendron caucasicum (LC), Mt. Erbo,
Shavsheti range, Adigeni distr., above v. Lelovani; 5. Sambucus tigranii (VU), road to Vardzia,
opposite to Tmogvi fortress; 6. S. ebulus, trail from Atskuri youth camp to BorjomiKharagauli National Park.
1
3
2
4
5
6
7 8
Fig.19. Target and related species of medicinal plants and proposed IUCN categories: 1. Scabiosa
caucasica (LC), Mt. Abuli, eastern slope, Akhalkalaki distr.; 2. S. columbaria, roadside near v.
Rustavi, Aspindza distr.; 3. S. meskhetika, road to Vardzia, near v. Nakalakevi, Aspindza distr.;
4,5. Scorzonera dzhawakhetica (EN), Tetrobi Plateau; 6. Senecio pandurifolius, Mt. Erbo,
Shavsheti range, Adigeni distr., above v. Lelovani; 7,8. S. rhombifolius (VU), Mt. Erbo, Shavsheti
range, Adigeni distr., above v. Lelovani.
1
4
7
2
5
3
6
8
Fig.20. Target and related species of medicinal plants and proposed IUCN categories: 1.
Viola suavis (LC), Zekari Pass, v. Abastumani, Adigeni distr.; 2. V. odorata (LC), near v.
Sakire, Borjomi distr.; 3. V. oreades, Goderdzi Pass, Adigeni distr.; 4. Allium victorialis (LC),
Living collection, Tbilisi central Botanical Garden; 5. Artemisia absinthium (LC), v.
Sakuneti, Akhaltsikhe distr.; 6. Crocus speciosus (LC), v. Bakuriani, Borjomi distr.; 7. C.
reticulatus, road to Vardzia, Aspindza distr.; 8. Taxus baccata (NT), vicinity of v. Nichbisi,
Mtskheta distr.
Maia Akhalkatsi