Edible and medicinal plants in some communities of Dusheti municipality (East Georgia, Caucasus)

Plants used for food and medicinal purposes by the local residents in different communities of Dusheti municipality of Mtskheta-Mtianeti region have been studied. Surveys have been conducted in 4 communities - Choporti, Bazaleti, Ananuri and Mchadijvari, which unite 51 villages. Edible plants were divided into two main groups: cultural and wild plants. Both groups unite herbaceous as well as woody plants. 37 species of cultural herbaceous and 20 species of woody plans used for food have been identified. Wildly growing edible plants include 27 species (13 species of herbaceous and 14 woody plants). Local residents mainly use wild plants for medicinal purposes, including 13 herbaceous and 13 woody plants. The variety of cultural plants used for medicinal purposes is relatively less (4 herbaceous and 3 woody plants). The research revealed the process of genetic erosion of aboriginal and endemic species and varieties of plants in the studied communities. The local population has almost completely switched to the use of modern high-yielding and widespread crops and varieties. Compared with the other crops, local varieties of fruit trees are more preserved, while vegetables and grain crops are represented almost entirely by foreign varieties. This process originates from the Soviet period and continues for the last 30 years.