(Iran) – an Evolutionary Centre for Fruit Trees and Shrubs

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution (2005) 00: 1–11 Springer 2005 DOI 10.1007/s10722-005-7467-8

Notes on neglected and underutilized crops

Savadkouh (Iran) – an evolutionary centre for fruit trees and shrubs

Korous Khoshbakht1,2,* and Karl Hammer1 1Institute of Crop Science, University of Kassel, Steinstr. 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany; 2Environmental Science Research Institute, University of Shahid Beheshti, Tehran, Iran; *Author for correspondence (e-mail: [email protected]; phone: +49-5542-98-1243; fax: +49-5542-98-1230)

Received 10 March 2005; accepted in revised form 13 May 2005

Key words: Domestication, Ethnobotany, Iran, Evolution, Fruit trees, Neglected crops

Abstract

Fieldwork was carried out in the north of Iran in April/May 2004. Four zones according to altitude including 20 villages and especially surrounding forests were visited. Data on uses and ethnobotany was collected through interviews that were one-on-one with respondents carefully selected to represent both male and female. Additionally a general survey of the area including other places of Savadkouh has been performed. The fruit trees and shrubs include Berberis sp., Crataegus sp., Cydonia oblonga, Diospyros lotus, Ficus carica, Malus orientalis, Mespilus germanica, Prunus cerasifera ssp. macrocarpa, Prunus spinosa, Punica granatum, and Rubus sp. Most of these are gathered from the wild, or occasionally cultivated in homegardens. The results of this study show that all of these species are used as sources of local foods and medicines. The area should be considered as an important evolutionary centre for fruit trees and shrubs and should be taken into serious consideration for discussions about fruit tree and shrub evolution. Germplasm collection activities, in situ conservation programs and interdisciplinary analysis of socioeconomic aspects of rural communications will be necessary in future studies.

Introduction visited the north of Iran and described it as an area of dense deciduous forests, with an excep- Information on uses of indigenous wild fruit tional wealth of wild trees and a mild, subtrop- trees of Iran is scarce and only occasionally ical climate suitable for the production of citrus mentioned in botanical works and inventories fruits (Vavilov 1997). (Sabeti 1997). Although some studies about eth- The present study was conducted to obtain a nobotany and especially about medicinal uses of better understanding of the knowledge of rural plants have been published (e.g. Zargari 1976– populations about fruit tree and shrub species, to 1980; Amin 1991; Shokri and Safaian 1993; identify the potential of these species to improve Emad 1999; Mirhidar 2001), there is no partic- nutrition, to generate new income, to conserve and ular study on the use of fruit trees and shrubs in protect the genetic resources and to contribute to Savadkouh and the essential knowledge about sustainable use of these natural resources. The them remains within the rural populations. In interactions between wild and cultivated plants in 1916 Nicolay Ivanovich Vavilov (1887–1943) this area have been of special interest. 2

Material and methods talis Lipsky, Carpinus betulus L., Quercus casta- neifolia C.A. Mey., Buxus hyrcana Pojark., Study area Parrotia persica (DC.) C.A. Mey., Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Lam.) Spach, Alnus subcordata C.A. Iran comprises a land area of 1.64 million km2.It Mey., Zelkova carpinifolia (Pall.) Dipp., Diospyros lies in the northern part of the temperate zone, lotus L., Carpinus orientalis Miller, Fraxinus between latitudes 2503¢ to 3947¢ N and longi- excelsior L., and Carpinus schuschaensis H. Winkl. tudes 4414¢ to 6320¢ E. It is bordered on the (Forest and Range Organization of Iran 1986). north by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Savadkouh (Figure 2) with 2078 km2 and hu- the Caspian Sea (the Caucasus Mountains, Middle mid and semi-humid climatic conditions, cold Asian natural regions); on the east by Afghanistan winters, warm summers and mean annual rainfall and Pakistan; on the south by the Persian Gulf 1700 mm, is part of the Hyrcanian biome and lo- and the Gulf of Oman, and on the west by Iraq cated between latitudes 3601¢ to 3642¢ N and and Turkey (Anatolian and Mesopotamian re- longitudes 5246¢ to 5332¢ E. From the geo- gions). The existence of the high mountains in the graphical point of view, the area is divided into north, the Zagros Range in the west and southwest two parts, lowland areas and Alburz mountainous and the eastern mountains of Iran, which surround area. The Alburz mountain range surrounds the the Iranian plateau, provide Iran with rugged coastal strip and coastal plains like a high wall. mountains and spectacular terrain. Both in the Due to permanent breezes of the sea and local north and the south of the country, there exist winds from the southern and eastern coasts of the wide plains, which include the low coastal lands Caspian Sea, there have been formed sandy hills (the Caspian Sea À26 m below sea level) (Firuz that have caused the appearance of a low natural 1974). The height of some of the mountains is over barrier between the sea and the plain. The nature 4000 m. of the area is under the influence of geographical Most of Iran is located in the Palaearctic realm latitude, Alburz heights, elevation from sea level, and is considered the centre of origin of many distance from the sea, local and regional wind genetic resources of the world, including many currents, and diverse vegetation cover. The climate original landraces of commercially valuable crop of the area is divided into two types: (1) moderate species such as Diospyros lotus L., Spinacia olera- Caspian weather with hot and humid summers, cea L. and Amygdalus persica L. (Zeven and de mild and humid winters especially in the low lands Wet 1982). The Iranian vascular plant flora com- and (2) cold mountainous weather with long prises approximately 8000 species, with about 20% freezing winters and short cool summers, espe- of them being endemic, based on the published cially in the mountains. The main rivers are the and forthcoming volumes of Flora Iranica Talar, Keselyian and Sheshroudbar, and rice (Rechinger 1963–2001). (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), The Hyrcanian region is located south of the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), vegetables and citrus Caspian Sea (Figure 1). The Iranian part of this trees (in low lands) are the main agricultural region covers approximately 50,000 km2 and is products in this area. located within the Iranian provinces Gilan, Maz- Indigenous people living in rural areas depend andaran and Golestan (Figure 2). The region ex- on the wild fruit trees in their diet. They use them tends throughout the south coast of the Caspian as table fruit, conserve and local food as well as Sea – which was called the Hyrcanian Ocean in folk medicine. The villagers often have consider- antiquity – and the northern part of Iran. It has able knowledge about wild fruit trees especially high production capacity due to humid temperate about using of them in treatment of sickness. The climate and suitable soil. Because of extensive most important characteristic of the populations, concentration of human life and their activities in which live in this area, is inclination to migration the lower altitudes, large parts of the lowland because of uneconomic conditions in agricultural forests have been deforested and converted into activities. Apart from the seasonal migration, there human settlements, cultivated areas, industry etc. is a definite tendency for permanent migration, as Hyrcanian forests extend for 800 km in length and those who can find a permanent job decide to stay the main tree and shrub species are: Fagus orien- in the cities. 3

Figure 1. Hyrcanian region (dark grey part, after Meusel and Ja¨ger 1992).

Methodology interviews were carried out. The interviews were one-on-one and respondents were carefully se- Fieldwork was carried out in the north of Iran in lected to represent both male and female but they April/May 2004. Four zones according to altitude had to be 40 or more years of age. Experience has including 20 villages and especially surrounding shown that older people have more traditional forests were visited (Table 1). Altogether 75 knowledge than younger people do. The interviews were carried out mainly in afternoons when the local people were either resting at home or at the shopping centers. In addition to the data recorded directly by interviews, further information was registered from informal market surveys, local specialists and rural experts. Additionally, in 2004 a general survey of the area including many other places of Savadkouh has been performed.

Results and discussion

Eleven fruit tree and shrub genera were identiﬁed in the north of Iran, all as wild species, some of them cultivated, which people use as a part of their diet regime. The species are arranged in alpha- betical order. Indigenous knowledge reported here was obtained from the responses in the visited Figure 2. Hyrcanian region in Iran and Savadkouh area. zones, additional data from literature. 4

Table 1. Geographical characteristics of diﬀerent sites.

Zones Sites Longitude (N) Latitude (E) Altitude .. ..¢ .. ..¢ (m.asl.)

Zone 1 Shirdar-kala 36 23 52 45 190 Kati-lateh 36 21 52 51 280 (Altitudes Shirjeh-kala 36 19 52 52 280 lower than Alam-kala 36 14 52 49 345 500 m.asl.) Sorkh-kala 36 12 52 56 400 Zone 2 Outo 36 4 53 01 570 Bahmanan 36 13 52 59 610 (Altitudes Pasha-kala 36 12 53 02 612 between Shir-kala 36 19 52 52 700 500 and 1000 m.asl.) Esas 36 09 53 04 900 Zone 3 Folowrd 36 04 53 08 1160 Arataban 36 03 52 56 1200 (Altitudes Zangeyan 36 04 52 56 1300 between Karmozd 36 03 52 53 1320 1000 and 1500 Anarom 36 02 53 10 1460 m.asl.) Zone 4 Tilem 36 02 52 57 1550 (Altitude Paland 36 10 52 57 1550 higher than Alasht 36 04 52 50 1670 1500 m.asl.) Bayeh-kala 36 02 53 07 1800 Lind 36 05 52 53 1890

Berberis sp. (Berberidaceae) with other species and also with B. vulgaris and shows a very large variation, which has lead to the Fruits of barberry species are used in preparation description of several species (Browicz and Zielin´- of marmalade, juice, sour and a special tart candy ski 1975). In the area we found mainly planted that is locally named ‘Lavashak’ and also as a shrubs along the roads, local wild material with condiment and food additive in several folk foods. relatively small fruits in the remote areas and also Almost all parts of common barberry are used as a introgression products with medium fruits. The medicine in traditional cures. material is in need of detailed taxonomic study. Although the province of Khorasan, located in northeastern Iran, is the production centre for Berberis vulgaris L. (with about 6000 ha of field Crataegus sp. (Rosaceae) growing – Tehranifar 2003), the barberry fruits in northern Iran and also in the investigated area are Hawthorn is a large group of hardy, deciduous mostly collected from the wild. Browicz and trees or shrubs. The fruits vary widely from species Zieln˜ ski (1975) report B. integerrima Bunge, to species, though the basic structure is always the B. crataegina DC., B. orthobotrys Bienert ex C.K. same: and externally it is somewhat like a small Schneider, and hybrids of B. integerrima · vulgaris, apple, the thin skin covering a fleshy pulp. The integerrima · crataegina, integerrima · orthobotrys colour of the ripe fruit ranges from yellow to red and calliobotrys · integerrima and B. · lamondiae and purple to black. from the north of Iran. The variation of the shrubs Twenty-two species and five hybrids have been in the investigated area was very high, especially reported from Iran including C. pentagyna Waldst. with respect to fruit characters. and Kit. ex Wild., C. pseudomelanocarpa M. Pop. B. integerrima is also cultivated in Iran (espe- ex Pojark., C. meyeri Pojark., C. songarica Koch, cially in Khorasan) for the berries. The cultivated C. turkestanica Pojark., C. pseudoheterophylla races have rather large fruits. Also seedless varieties Pojark., C. microphylla Koch, C. · armena Pojark. occur. The berries are preferably consumed raw but and C. pentagyna · C. songarica which grow in are also conserved by drying. From the bark a north of Iran as wild plants (Khatamsaz 1992). brown dye is obtained. B. integerrima easily crosses Rural people divide them into two groups 5 depending on fruit colour, namely ‘Sorkh valik’ Diospyros lotus L. (Ebenaceae) (with red fruit) and ‘Seiyah valik’ (with black fruit). Fruits are edible and villagers believe that The date-plum or Caucasian persimmon, D. lotus, they have a tonic effect on the heart and they are is a wild deciduous tree in northern Iran (Sabeti used in the treatment of weak heart conditions, 1997), which grows up to 20 m high (Figure 3). especially if this is accompanied by high blood Leaves are alternate, elliptic to ovate-oblong, 5– pressure. In the area Crataegus has not been found 18 cm long, and 3–7 cm wide with margin entire, under cultivation but widely used. This compli- apex acute to acuminate: the lamina is dark green cated genus needs additional studies. and glabrous above, paler with scattered hairs beneath. The small greenish flowers have a large Cydonia oblonga Mill. (Rosaceae) calyx (Rechinger 1966). D. lotus is mostly used in the area as grafting stock for D. kaki Thunb. and The quince, Cydonia oblonga, is the only member can be grown also at higher elevations. Fruits are of the genus and grows as a wild plant in the 1–2 cm across, yellowish and becoming bluish- Caucasus, northern Iran and the Kopet Dagh black when completely ripe. The fruits are not range (Zohary and Hopf 2000). The primary wild eaten in immature form because of their astringent area was probably limited to the eastern Caucasus taste. Mature fruits or dried ones that are collected and Transcaucasus from Daghestan to Talysh. from the forest are eaten and used in folk medicine Partially connected with this core area are popu- as a treatment for constipation. lations in Anatolia, Syria, Turkmenia and Afghanistan, however perhaps only as relics of the early spread of cultivated forms. True wild trees in Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) the centre of origin in the Caucasus have a small crown and small fruits (3 cm across) (Bu¨ttner The fig, Ficus carica, is native to western Asia. 2001). The quince plants that are distributed as Probably domesticated in the eastern part of the wild fruit trees in northern forests of Iran (Sabeti Mediterranean area. It seems to have been part of 1997; Zohary and Hopf 2000) as well as cultivated the food production in this area since at least the trees in gardens, which are deciduous and thorn- Early Bronze Age, providing fresh fruit in summer less trees (rarely shrubs) grow up to 8 m high and and storable, sugar-rich, dry figs all the year round 3–4.5 m wide. The young branchlets are covered (Zohary and Hopf 2000). The deciduous leaves are with pale greyish wool. Leaves are elliptical, with palmate, deeply divided into 3–7 main lobes, these entire margins, often larger than those of apple or again more shallowly lobed and irregularly pear. Flowers are pink or white, solitary at the end toothed on the margins. The blade is 5–35 cm in of short twigs, produced in May, after the leaves. length and width, fairly thick, rough on the upper Fruits are generally bright yellow and usually pear surface, softly hairy on the underside. The synco- shaped. The cultivation of quince began from nium, a fleshy hollow receptacle with a small Caucasus regions about 4000 years ago (according opening at the apex, is partly closed by small to our observations also the wild races from the scales. Fruits are 2–3 cm across in the wild (Aziz- Hyrcanian area should be considered here), later ian 2001) and up to 8 cm in diameter in cultivated on there are reports about quinces in Greece forms (Browicz 1982). (600 BC) and Rome (200 BC) and today it is cul- The cultivated fig tree shows a close morpho- tivated in all countries with warm-temperate to logical resemblance, striking similarities in climatic temperate climates. requirements, and tight genetic interconnections Most people prefer to eat quinces after cooking with an aggregate of wild and weedy forms, which as marmalade. The word ‘marmalade’ comes from are widely distributed over the Mediterranean the Portuguese ‘marmelo’ meaning quince. In fact, basin. Botanists regard them as the wild progeni- until the end of the 18th century, marmalade was tor of the cultivated fruit tree and place them made almost exclusively of quinces. Fruits of wild within F. carica L. (Zohary 1973; Browicz 1986; plants in the study area are used for the prepara- Tutin 1993). This wild-feral-cultivated fig is closely tion of marmalade as well as in folk medicine to related to a group of non-Mediterranean wild, treat constipation. deciduous Ficus types distributed south and east of 6

Figure 3. Diospyros lotus, locally named Khormandy, and used as a grafting stock for D. kaki. the Mediterranean region (Zohary 1973; Browicz the forests of zones 1 and 2. Today cultivation of 1986). F. carica is very common in homegardens of Sa- Tall, large ﬁg trees grow in the lower zone of the vadkouh. Fruits are edible and used to prepare mesic, deciduous forests of the Colchic (Black Sea) marmalade and sauce and most parts of the plant district of northern Turkey and the Hyrcanic are used as folk medicine to treat diseases. Fully (south of Caspian Sea) district of Iran and adja- ripe fruits are dried in the sun and eaten as dried cent Caucasica (Zohary and Spiegel-Roy 1975; fruits (Figure 4). Zohary and Hopf 2000). These forest types intergrade with the typical Mediterranean F. carica. Most authors include these wild forms into F. Malus orientalis Ugl. (Rosaceae) carica. They deserve recognition and have been accepted by Russian botanists (see Zhukovsky Malus orientalis (syn. M. pumila Grossh. non 1964) as F. colchica Grossh. and F. hyrcana Mill.) is distributed in the Caucasus, the north of Grossh. In the area they are planted in the gardens Anatolia, Armenia, the mountain belt in the as grafting stock for F. carica. Other members of northern part of Iran (Bu¨ttner 2001) as well as in the series Carica are warm climate, xeric shrubby the west, east and centre of Iran (Browicz et al. types distributed outside the traditional area of ﬁg 1969; Sabeti 1997). According to this rather wide cultivation: F. johannis Boiss. in the Zagros distribution there is a high variability of vegetative Mountains and southern Iran; F. virgata Roxb. in and fruit characters. Therefore, M. orientalis could Afghanistan; F. pseudosycomorus Decne in south also have contributed to the domestication of the Jordan, the Negev, Sinai, and Egypt, and F. pal- apple (M. domestica Borkh.) by some character mata Forssk. in Yemen, Somalia and Ethiopia introgressions (Bu¨ttner 2001). (Zohary and Hopf 2000). In the area the fruits are small (2–3.5 cm across), Wild populations of Ficus carica with very tall sour/sweet, more or less astringent and bitter. trees and small fruits were observed especially in Seedlings are used as well-adapted rootstocks for 7

Figure 4. Dry fruits of Ficus collected from big wild trees in the natural forests (F. hyrcana Grossh.) are sold in local markets. Bar = 1 cm.

M. domestica Borkh. and cultivation of M. orien- ration of medlar conserve, jams, sour, jellies, and a talis for self-consuming in few homegardens was sap locally named ‘Dooshab’. The villagers pre- observed (Figure 5). pare syrup by boiling semi-ripe fruits with sugar and use it in treatment of children’s diarrhoea. A gargle of leaf extract is used as a remedy for a Mespilus germanica L. (Rosaceae) swollen throat.

The medlar, Mespilus germanica L. is a wild deciduous thorny shrub, growing up to 2–3 m high Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. ssp. macrocarpa Ere¨min & in this area (Khatamsaz 1992). First plantations Garkov (Rosaceae) (P. iranica Koval., P. cerasif- have been reported about 1000 BC from the Cas- era ssp. nachitschevanica Koval., P. cerasifera ssp. pian coast, and then cultivation proceeded pontica Koval.) through Asia Minor to Greece and Italy (about 200 BC). In the Middle Ages it was widespread in The wild mirobalan, P. cerasifera Ehrh. subsp. Central and West Europe, later on almost disap- divaricata (Ledeb.) C.K. Schneider (P. divaricata pearing and since that time occurring only single Ledeb.) is a deciduous thornless tree or shrub up trees naturalized as relics of former cultivation to 10 m in height and is native in Caucasus, Asia (Bu¨ttner 2001). In the study area, especially in Minor, Balkan Peninsula to Central Europe. The deforested parts, semi-cultivated plants have been trees are apparently all self-incompatible, repro- observed, remaining from the original popula- duce from seed and bear roundish, small (2 cm in tions. diameter) yellow, red or dark red fruits, which The pome fruit has variable shapes, from coni- taste very much like the cultivated plums cal-elongated, to spherical or flat. The skin colour (P. domestica L.). In the area the plums are com- is brown, sometimes tinged reddish. The brown- monly known as P. divaricata.Theyfallintoseveral reddish flesh is hard and austere at ripening time eco-geographic races (Browicz et al. 1969; but it becomes soft and edible when the over-rip- Khatamsaz 1992), among them P. cerasifera ssp. ening process occurs as a result of time and frost. macrocarpa which occurs in the Caspian coast of One of the common uses of medlar fruits that Caucasus and Iran. Louneva (1999) has given are collected from the forest is the raw consump- hybrid status to several taxa (e.g. P. · nachitschevanica tion after over-ripening. These fruits have a sweet Louneva = P. cerasifera · P. salicina Lindl., and slightly acid flesh and are used in the prepa- P. · taurica Luneva). 8

Figure 5. Malus orientalis with small red fruits cultivated in homegardens.

Wild mirobalan is in flower from April to May. Both groups intergrade and apparently intercross The insect pollinated flowers appear before the with one other. In contrast, P. spinosa, with its leaves. It is used as a rootstock for grafting small and very astringent fruits, is morphologically P. domestica cultivars. Fruits are mainly collected distinct and seems to be isolated reproductively from the forest. They are edible and used in several from the domestica–divaricata plums. We know local foods. Cultivation of this plant as a fruit tree very little about the beginning of plum domesti- itself was also observed in some homegardens. cation, but since its culture depends on grafting, There are also trees with variable characters in the this fruit tree was probably taken into cultivation wild as possible results of introgression. When the together with apples and pears. The earliest re- original forest is cleared, trees with good fruits are cords of plum planting and grafting are from maintained for local production. This is a kind of Roman times. semi-cultivation. All members of the genus contain The blackthorn, P. spinosa is a deciduous spiny amygdalin and prunasin, substances that break shrub with beautiful white blossoms which appear down in water to form hydrocyanic acid (cyanide early in spring. The wild distribution of this species or prussic acid). In small amounts this exceedingly is through Europe to the Urals, north of Africa, poisonous compound stimulates respiration, im- north of Anatolia, Caucasus, north of Iran and proves digestion and gives a sense of well-being. northwest of Turkmenistan. As a thorny shrub it is planted for soil stabilization, also as a hedgerow for wind protection. Cultivation for the fruits Prunus spinosa L. (Rosaceae) seems to be known more recently only in different regions of Russia (Bu¨ttner 2001) and even in this Cultivated hexaploid P. domestica is thought to be area mainly they are wild fruit trees. Fruits are a polyploid product of a cross between P. cer- black or bluish-black in colour and the flesh is asifera and P. spinosa. The P. domestica plums green. The bitter fruits are used to make jellies, look strikingly similar to the P. divaricata forms. conserves and syrups and they have also been put 9 to various uses in folk medicine. The flowers are local tart candy, which traditionally was prepared used as a blood cleaner and the leaves have been by heating of the fruits for a long time, but today dried and used as a substitute for tea. Further- because of more demand, small factories for more, dyes have been obtained from the fruits, preparation of this have been established. leaves and bark. All parts of the tree are used in folk medicine for different treatments and the skin of the fruit is used in the tanning industry. Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae)

The pomegranate, Punica granatum belongs to Rubus sp. Vavilov’s Centre of Origin IV, Central Middle East that includes the interior of Asia Minor, the From this genus R. caesius L., R. hirtus Waldst. et Caucasus, Iran and the highlands of Turkmenis- Kit., R. armeniacus Focke, R. sanctus Schreber, tan. It is a deciduous shrub or tree with con- R. persicus Boiss., R. hyrcanus Juz., R. dolichocarpus spicuous red flowers and large fruits (6–12 cm Juz., R. karakalensis Freyn, R. astarae Gilli, across) characterized by a leathery rind, persistent R. esfandiarii Gilli and R. lahidjanensis Rech.f. are crown-like calyx, and numerous seeds covered distributed in northern Iran (Khatamsaz 1992) and with a juicy flesh. The wild forms of P. granatum people collect fruits of them from the wild for grow in masses in the south Caspian belt, in eating raw, cooking in sauces, juice and marma- northeastern Turkey, and in Albania and Mon- lade. Fruits and leaves as well as roots are used in tenegro (Zohary and Hopf 2000). Wild popula- folk medicine. tions of pomegranate with small, sour and Occasionally R. anatolicus (Focke) Focke ex dehiscent fruits have been observed within ho- Hausskn. (sensu Flora Iranica Vol. 66, p. 72, megardens and forests of the study area. The Browicz et al. 1969) is found in a kind of semi- fruits can be eaten fresh, or can be used for cultivation in the area investigated. All other spe- preparation of juice, sauce or in several local cies of this taxonomically difficult genus are used foods as a condiment. Lavashak (Figure 6) is a from wild shrubs.

Figure 6. ‘Lavashak’ a special tart candy, prepared from Punica granatum and Berberis sp. mainly. 10

Conclusions Acknowledgements

Wild fruit trees are well utilized in Savadkouh and We wish to express special thanks to Dr. Houman play an important role in supplementing other Liaghati and Mr. Bahram Zehzad our colleagues foods as well as in enhancing the quality of the in the Institute of Environmental Science Research environment. Nutrients can be obtained easily of Shahid Behesti University for extraordinary from the consumption of these fruits. Our results helpfulness in the ﬁeld studies. Finally, the authors indicate that the fruits are usually collected freely are particularly grateful to the local farmers on the from the natural forests. There is a need, however, Savadkouh, who shared their knowledge. to encourage their cultivation in home gardens or on farms alongside other crops. In this way har- vesting can be done to supply the growers’ needs References and the surplus sold to improve the household economy. Amin Gh. 1991. Popular Medicinal Plants of Iran. Iranian Collecting information about how people deal Research Institute of Medicinal Plants, Tehran, Iran. with their natural surroundings is not only Azizian D. 2001. Moraceae. In: Flora of Iran. Research Insti- important for the recording of local cultural tute of Forests and Rangelands, pp. 1–30. traditions and the richness of this heritage, but Browicz K., Fro¨hner S., Gilli A., Nordborg G., Riedl H., Schiman-Czeika H., Scho¨nbeck-Temesy E. and Vassilczenko also gives us some of the information necessary T. 1969. Rosaceae I. In: Rechinger K.H. (ed.), Flora Iranica, to protect our natural habitat in the long term. Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz, Austria, pp. 1– If we consider that the number of Iran endemics 217. is about 1400 (Davis et al. 1997) we can see the Browicz K. and Zielin´ski J. 1975. Berberidaceae. In: Rechinger urgency of this kind of ethnobotanical research. K.H. (ed.), Flora Iranica, Akademische Druck- u. Verlag- sanstalt, Graz, Austria pp. 1–16. There may not be other chances to record how Browicz K. 1982. Moraceae. In: Rechinger K.H. (ed.), Flora these species are used (or were used). We must Iranica, Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz, remember not only that plants are endemic, but Austria pp. 1–15. also that local knowledge is equally endemic and Browicz K. 1986. Chorology of trees and shrubs in south-west now may have a much shorter life span than Asia and adjacent regions. Vol. 5. Institute of Dendrology, Polish Academy of Science, Ko´rnik, Poland, 88 pp. many of the plants. Among the plants men- Bu¨ttner R. 2001. Rosaceae. In: Hanelt P. and IPK (eds), tioned Rubus grantii, R. astarae, R. esfandiarii Mansfeld’s Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural and R. lahidjanensis are endemic and in addition Crops. Springer, Berlin, pp. 417–532. there are many other local types of trees and Davis S.D., Heywood V.H., Herrera-MacBryde O., Villa-Lo- shrubs. bos J. and Hamilton A.C. (eds) 1997. Centres of Plant Diversity: A Guide and Strategy for Their Conservation. The results of this investigation show a Oxford. dependence on trees and shrub species as sour- Emad M. 1999. Medicinal, Industrial and Forest Plants. Rural ces of local foods and medicines. Fruits of all Development Publishers, Tehran, Iran. these species are used as table fruit and in Ercisli S. 2004. A short review of the fruit germplasm resources preparation of marmalade, candy as well as of Turkey. Genet. Resour. Crop Evol. 51: 419–435. Ertug˘ F. 2000. An ethnobotanical study in Central Anatolia local foods. A special consideration is the ob- (Turkey). Econ. Bot. 54: 155–182. served use of these plants to remedy illnesses in Ertug˘ F. 2004. Wild edible plants of the Bodrum Area (Mug˘ la, folk medicine. There is a need to appreciate the Turkey). Turk. J. Bot. 28: 161–174. importance of these species and encourage Firuz E. 1974. Environment Iran. The National Society for the further researches. Conservation of Natural Resources and Human Environ- ment, Tehran, Iran. Whereas the Caucasian area (Vavilov and his Forest and Range Organization of Iran. (F.R.O.I) 1986. 4th school) and Turkey (e.g. Ertug˘ 2000, 2004; Ercisli Periodic Study of Hyrcanian Forest. Technical Bureau of 2004) have been considered as important areas Forestry (T.B.F), Challus, Iran. for fruit tree evolution, the Hyrcanian area of Khatamsaz M. 1992. Rosaceae. In: Flora of Iran. Research Iran has only obtained limited consideration. Institute of Forests and Rangelands, pp.1–352. Louneva N.N. 1999. Infraspeciﬁc systematics of cultivated Evolutionary relations between wild and culti- plants and a case study of Prunus L. (Rosaceae). In: Andrews vated fruit trees and shrubs in the area have been S., Leslie A. and Alexander C. (eds), Taxonomy of Cultivated observed by us and are in need of further studies. Plants. Royal Bot. Gardens, Kew, pp. 423–425. 11

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