საქართველოს სოკოებისა და ლიქენების ეთნობიოლოგია | Ethnobiology of fungi and lichens of Georgia

Local Name
Datvis sok’o, Dzirbuk’a (1), Bebera-sok’o (kakh.), Beberis sok’o (kakh.), K’riant’eli (rach.), Dedabera (imer.), Dzirbuk’a (z. imer.) (2), Datvis zok’o (tush.) (3), Dedabera (gur., imer., okrib., lechkh.) (4).

Description
Cap: The cap is 8–30 cm across, brown often with a whitish bloom at first gradually lost on expanding leaving a white line at the margin, smooth and dry initially becoming greasy, in wet weather slightly viscid and polished. Tubes are white, then becoming grey-yellow. Stem: The stem is 8–20 cm tall, 3–6 cm thick, robust, pallid with white net. Flesh: The flesh is white or whitish, unchanging, flushed dirty straw-colour or vinaceous in cap, taste and smell pleasant. Spores: The spores are 14–17 X 4–5 µm, elliptic or spindle-shaped, olivaceous or brownish-yellowish.
Habitat: On soils, coniferous, broad-leaved or mixed woodland. Season: Summer, autumn.
Distribution: All regions of Georgia (5).

Uses
Edibility: Edible when fresh, dry and marinated (1).

Tusheti — “Datvis zok’o is an edible mushroom. Before we started to eat these mushrooms we thought that it was inedible, even poisonous, but it was earlier. When the locals noticed that almost everyone around them eat it, they also started to eat these mushrooms” (3). Racha — “K’rinat’eli is the best mushroom, with brownish-yellowish cap and whitish tubes, also with robust stem” (6).

Note: Almost every mushroom with spongelike hymenophore is called Datvis sok’o or Bebera sok’o.

References
1. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. (2007) Fungi of Georgia. Tbilisi: Buneba Printi.
2. Makashvili, A. (1991) Botanical Dictionary. Tbilisi: Metsniereba.
3. Tsotsanidze, G. (2012) Tushetian dictionary. Tbilisi: Bakur Sulakauri Publishing.
4. Ghlonti, A. (1974) Dictionary of the Georgian Dialects. Vol. I. Tbilisi: Ganatleba.
5. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G., et al. (1986) Flora of Spore-producing Plants of Georgia (Summary). Tbilisi: Metsniereba (Russian).
6. Kobakhidze, A. (1987) Dictionary of the Rachan Dialect. Tbilisi: Metsniereba.

Local Name
Gardamrida, Q’ura sok’o (1), Q’urch’at’a (gur.) (1), K’atsisq’ura (2).
Description
Fruitbody: The Fruitbody is wavy and irregular, typically ear-shaped, 3–15 cm, gathered together and attached at a central or lateral position, fertile surface (usually the “downward” one) gelatinous, tan to brown, sterile surface (usually the “upper” one) silky to downy, veined, irregular, brown, flesh thin, gelatinous-rubbery. Flesh: The flesh is waxlike, hyaloid when fresh, then parchmentlike when dry. Spores: The spores are 12–19 x 4–8 µm, elliptic, smooth.
Habitat: On branches of deciduous living or dead trees, usually on elder ones, especially on elder (Sambucus nigra) and alder-tree. Season: Summer, autumn.
Distribution: All regions of Georgia (3).

Uses
Edibility: Edible when young and fresh (2).

Guria — “Q’urch’at’ai is the name of an edible fungi” (4). Adjara — “Q’urch’at’ai grows on trees, it’s tinderlike, we don’t eat them” (5).

References
1. Makashvili, A. (1991) Botanical Dictionary. Tbilisi: Metsniereba.
2. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. (2007) Fungi of Georgia. Tbilisi: Buneba Printi.
3. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G., et al. (1986) Flora of Spore-producing Plants of Georgia (Summary). Tbilisi: Metsniereba (Russian).
4. Zhghenti, S. (1936) Gurian Dialect. Tbilisi: Publishing House of Georgian Branch of Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
5. Kvikhaidze, E. (2016) Vlg. Riketi, Khulo.

Local Name
Manch’k’vala (1), Mach’k’unara (rach.), Manch’k’vara, Mach’unk’ala (lech., z. imer.), Manch’k’ora (gur.) (2), Mach’k’unara (rach.) (3), Munch’k’urua (meg.) (4), Manch’k’varai (svan.) (5), Manch’k’varai (svan.) (6).

Description
Cap: The cap is 3–10 cm across, convex to broadly convex or flat in age, the margin often arched in maturity, dry or tacky, color extremely variable, but typically honey yellow, smooth, or with a few tiny, dark scales concentrated near the center and vaguely radially arranged. Gills are attached or beginning to run down the stem, nearly distant, whitish, sometimes bruising or discoloring darker. Stem: The stem is 5–10 cm tall, 0.5–2 cm thick, tapering to base due to clustered growth pattern, tough and fibrous, smooth and pale near apex, darker and nearly hairy below, with a persistent ring at maturity and a white partial veil covering the gills when young. Flesh: The flesh is white or whitish, taste mild, odor sweet. Spores: The spores are 7–8.5 X 6–7.5 µm, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose, colourless or pale white.
Habitat: In dense clusters on or around trunks or stumps of deciduous and coniferous trees. Season: Summer to early winter.
Distribution: All regions of Georgia (7).

Uses
Edibility: Edible when cooked (must be eaten in small amounts as some forms are known to cause stomach upsets) (1).

Imereti — “Usually we pickle them to store for the winter” (8). Kakheti — “I gather these mushrooms (Manch’k’vala) to marinate them and usually I store them for the winter” (9). Kartli — “For the winter we store only these mushrooms” (10). Guria — “These mushrooms (Mach’ink’ora) typically appear in large clusters at the base of a nut tree and also on the logs. But it is possible to meet also a false Mach’ink’ora mushroom: so you must be careful of the dangerous double” (11), “It’s a name of an edible mushroom, some dry them to store for the winter” (12). Svaneti — “Locals gather these mushrooms (Manch’k’vala) in summer and dry them to store. In the winter they make soup with dried mushrooms and eat” (6). Racha — “Mach’k’unara is an edible mushroom, so we gather, clean, dry them on the sun and store them for the winter” (3).

Note: Manch’k’vala is a well known edible mushroom in all the regions of Georgia and locals gather them everywhere.

References
1. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. (2007) Fungi of Georgia. Tbilisi: Buneba Printi.
2. Makashvili, A. (1991) Botanical Dictionary. Tbilisi: Metsniereba.
3. Kobakhidze, A. (1987) Dictionary of the Rachan Dialect. Tbilisi: Metsniereba.
4. Kobalia, A. (2010) Megrelian Dictionary. Tbilisi: Artanuji Publishing.
5. Oniani, A. (1917) Collection of Svanetian Names of Trees and Shrubs (on Lashkhuri Dialect), Materials on Japhetic linguistics. Vol. VIII. Petrograd: Academy of Sciences Press.
6. Dondua, Karpez (2001) Selected Works. Tbilisi: Metsniereba.
7. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G., et al. (1986) Flora of Spore-producing Plants of Georgia (Summary). Tbilisi: Metsniereba (Russian).
8. Tkabladze, I. (2016) Vlg. Kumistavi, Tskaltubo.
9. Sulashvili, N. (2015) Lagodekhi.
10. Dzaganashvili, M. (2015) Vlg. Zakaro, Mtskheta.
11. Khukhunaishvili, T. (2016) Lanchkhuti.
12. Zhghenti, S. (1936) Gurian dialect. Tiflis: Publishing House of the Georgian Branch of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.

Local Name
Marts’q’vio (1).

Description
Cap: The cap is 5–15 cm across, convex, becoming broadly convex or flat, dry or slightly sticky, adorned with with numerous felty warts that are bright yellow and densely packed at first, but soon spread and fade, becoming pinkish, grayish or dull tan, surface dull brassy yellow to dull brown when young, becoming flushed with red shades, and eventually turning reddish brown to tan or brown, the margin typically not lined. Gills are free from the stem or or narrowly attached to it, white, sometimes discoloring reddish, close or crowded, short-gills numerous. Stem: The stem is 5–10 cm tall, 0.5–2 cm thick, more or less equal, or sometimes slightly enlarged toward base, the base indistinct to bulbous, generally without universal veil remnants, without a rim, white at first, becoming stained pinkish to dirty red, bald or finely hairy, with a fragile, persistent ring. Flesh: The flesh is white or whitish throughout, discoloring slowly pale pinkish red, especially around worm holes. Spores: The spores are 6–10.5 X 4–6.5 µm, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose, amyloid, colourless or pale white.
Habitat: On soils, in mixed coniferous and leafy forests. Season: Summer, autumn.
Distribution: All regions of Georgia (2).

Uses
Edibility: Edible when fresh (must be boiled first for at least 15-20 minutes) (1).

Imereti — “Usually we fry mushroom separately, but if the amount of them is too small — then we fry them also with other mushrooms” (3).

References
1. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. (2007) Fungi of Georgia. Tbilisi: Buneba Printi.
2. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G., et al. (1986) Flora of Spore-producing Plants of Georgia (Summary). Tbilisi: Metsniereba (Russian).
3. Tsartsidze, N. (2016) Vlg. Chashora, Sachkhere.

Local Name
Shkhama (1).

Description
Cap: The cap is 5–15 cm across, nearly round or oval at first, becoming convex, then broadly convex to flat in age, bald, sticky when wet, shiny when dry, color ranging from dull green to olive to yellowish to brownish. Gills are free from the stem or nearly so, white (sometimes with a slight greenish tint), close or crowded. Stem: The stem is 5–10 cm tall, 0.5–2 cm thick, more or less equal, or frequently tapering to apex and flaring to a swollen base, bald or finely hairy, white or with tints of the cap color; with a white, skirtlike ring that typically persists but is sometimes lost, with a sacklike white volva encasing the base. Flesh: The flesh is white or whitish, not discoloring on exposure, or odor sickly sweet becoming disagreeable. Spores: The spores are 7–12.5 X 6–8.5 µm, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose, amyloid, colourless or pale white.
Habitat: On soils, in mixed coniferous and leafy forests. Season: Summer, autumn.
Distribution: Abkhazeti, Kakheti (2).

Uses
Edibility: Poisonous (1).

References
1. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. (2007) Fungi of Georgia. Tbilisi: Buneba Printi.
2. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G., et al. (1986) Flora of Spore-producing Plants of Georgia (Summary). Tbilisi: Metsniereba (Russian).

Local Name
Tavch’edila (1).

Description
Cap: The cap is 4–12 cm across, convex, becoming broadly convex or flat, sticky when fresh, brown to tan or yellowish brown, bald, adorned with numerous cottony, whitish warts. Gills are free from the stem or nearly so, white, crowded, short-gills frequent. Stem: The stem is 5–15 cm tall, 1–2 cm thick, tapering to apex and ending in a swollen basal bulb, somewhat scaly or fairly bald, whitish, with a skirtlike, whitish ring above, and a roll of tissue from the universal veil forming the upper margin of the bulb or, occasionally, with concentric rings of volval material. Flesh: The flesh is white, not discoloring on exposure, or turning slightly yellowish in the stem. Spores: The spores are 8–13.5 X 6–9.5 µm, broad elliptical, smooth, colourless or pale white.
Habitat: On soils, in mixed coniferous and leafy forests. Season: Summer, autumn.
Distribution: All regions of Georgia (2).

Uses
Edibility: Poisonous (1).

References
1. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. (2007) Fungi of Georgia. Tbilisi: Buneba Printi.
2. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G., et al. (1986) Flora of Spore-producing Plants of Georgia (Summary). Tbilisi: Metsniereba (Russian).

Local Name
Tsadamaq’vana (1), Shkhama–sok’o, Jghavana–sok’o, Ts’iteli shkhama (kartl.) (2), Sad momglije (3), Sadmamts’q’vit’e (4), Saghivara (tush.) (5), Gadamreva (rach.) (6).

Description
Cap: The cap is 5–20 cm across, globose or hemispherical at first then flattening, bright scarlet covered with distinctive white pyramidal warts which may be washed off by rain leaving the cap almost smooth and the colour fades. Gills are free from the stem, whitish-yellowish. Stem: The stem is 6–16 cm tall, 1–2 cm thick, white, often covered in shaggy volval remnants as is the bulbous base, the white membranous ring attached to the stem apex sometimes becoming flushed yellow from the pigment washed off the cap. Flesh: The flesh is white, tinged red or yellow below the cap cuticle. Spores: The spores are 9–10 X 7–8 µm, elliptical, smooth, colourless or pale whitish.
Habitat: On soils, in mixed coniferous and leafy forests. Season: Summer, autumn.
Distribution: All regions of Georgia (7).

Uses
Edibility: Poisonous (1).

Tusheti — “Saghivara mushroom can drive mad those who will eat it” (5). Racha — “Gadamreva is a mushroom with red cap and is white from the bottom, non edible, because it’s poisonous” (6), “There is a mushroom with the name “Gardamrieb”, if someone will eat it, mushroom will force that person to return to the exact place where this mushroom were found” (8).

References
1. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. (2007) Fungi of Georgia. Tbilisi: Buneba Printi.
2. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G., et al. (1986) Flora of Spore-producing Plants of Georgia (Summary). Tbilisi: Metsniereba (Russian).
3. Bagrationi, Ioane (1986) The Explanatory Dictionary of Natural Science. Tbilisi: Metsniereba.
4. Orbeliani, Sulkhan-Saba (1991) Georgian Dictionary. Tbilisi: Merani.
5. Tsotsanidze, G. (2012) Tushetian dictionary. Tbilisi: Bakur Sulakauri Publishing.
6. Kobakhidze, A. (1987) Dictionary of the Rachan Dialect. Tbilisi: Metsniereba.
7. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G., et al. (1986) Flora of Spore-producing Plants of Georgia (Summary). Tbilisi: Metsniereba (Russian).
8. Melashvili, N. (2014) Vlg. Uravi, Ambrolauri.

Local Name
Bilts’a sok’o (1).

Description
Cap: The cap is 5–10 cm across, convex to broadly convex or nearly flat in age, sticky when fresh, adorned with soft, grayish to whitish, brownish, or purplish patches or warts when young, bald, pale greenish yellow, fading quickly to nearly white. Gills are free from the stem, close or crowded, short-gills frequent, creamy or sometimes yellowish in age. Stem: The stem is 5–12 cm tall, 1–2 cm thick, more or less equal, but with an abruptly bulbous base, the base sometimes longitudinally “chiseled” or split, with a with a fairly persistent, skirtlike, white or pale yellow ring, bald or finely hairy, whitish, sometimes discoloring purple to brownish. Flesh: The flesh is white throughout, unchanging when sliced, taste unpleasant, smelling strongly of raw potatoes. Spores: The spores are 6 X 9 µm, elliptical, smooth, brownish.
Habitat: On soils, in grass and in cultivated areas. Season: Summer, autumn.
Distribution: All regions of Georgia (2).

Uses
Edibility: Poisonous. The symptoms are severe stomach cramps (1).

References
1. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. (2007) Fungi of Georgia. Tbilisi: Buneba Printi.
2. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G., et al. (1986) Flora of Spore-producing Plants of Georgia (Summary). Tbilisi: Metsniereba (Russian).

Local Name
Niq’vi (1), Sokots’itela (imer.), Sokokvertskha (gur.) (2), Malkvala, Sokots’itela (3), Markvalish (megr.), Pipi (megr.) (4), Markvala (gur.) (5), Neq’v (svan.) (6).

Description
Cap: The cap is 8–20 cm across, ovoid or hemispherical becoming expanded convex, clear orange-red, fading or ageing more yellowish, smooth and slightly viscid, finely lined at the margin. Gills are free and crowded, yellow. Stem: The stem is 8–14 cm tall, 2–4 cm thick, yellow with a large yellow pendulous ring which is often striate, the basal bulb is encased in a large, white bag-like volva. Flesh: The flesh is white or whitish, distinctly yellow below the cap cuticle. Spores: The spores are 9–13 X 5–10 µm, broad elliptical, brownish.
Habitat: On soils, in mountain meadows (subalpine areas). Season: Summer, autumn.
Distribution: Western Georgia (7).

Uses
Edibility: They are considered one of the best of the edible fungi, usually when they are fresh (1).

Imereti — “I hunt and gather these mushrooms (Niq’vi), although usually it’s hard to find them. But if the amount of them is quite large then I fry them in oil with onion. It’s also my favorite way to store mushrooms for the winter” (8), “Even if nobody will be able to find these mushrooms (Niq’vi) in the whole region of Imereti, in the Village Rtskhilati (Chiatura Municipality), however, I’m sure you will find them” (9). Racha — “When the amount of these mushrooms is quite large we dry them, to store for the winter, because one of the good ways to keep mushrooms around is to dry them” (10). Guria — “At first Niq’vi is roundish, reddish, then becomes flat” (11). Kartli — “Niq’vi is very rare in our region, although, I know that these mushrooms are very appetizing and taste wonderful” (12). Kakheti — “Sometimes you can find Niq’vi here, but in very small amount, this is the “King” of the mushrooms” (13), “Mainly Niq’vi can be found in Western Georgia, but there are a few places, where sometimes you can also find them here” (14).

Note: Niq’vi is well known in almost every region of Georgia and is considered by many as the most delicious and tasty mushroom. Niq’vi is often called the “King” of the mushrooms.

References
1. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. (2007) Fungi of Georgia. Tbilisi: Buneba Printi.
2. Makashvili, A. (1991) Botanical Dictionary. Tbilisi: Metsniereba.
3. Orbeliani, Sulkhan-Saba. (1991) Georgian Dictionary. Tbilisi: Merani.
4. Kobalia, A. (2010) Megrelian Dictionary. Tbilisi: Artanuji Publishing.
5. Tandilava, A. (2013) Laz Dictionary. Tbilisi: Publishing House Saari.
6. Oniani, A. (1917) Collection of Svanetian Names of Trees and Shrubs (on Lashkhuri Dialect), Materials on Japhetic linguistics. Vol. VIII. Petrograd: Academy of Sciences Press.
7. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G., et al. (1986) Flora of Spore-producing Plants of Georgia (Summary). Tbilisi: Metsniereba (Russian).
8. Tkabladze, I. (2016) Vlg. Kumistavi, Tskaltubo.
9. Kupatadze, Z. (2016) Chiatura.
10. Melashvili, N. (2014) Vlg. Uravi, Ambrolauri.
11. Ghlonti, M. (2016) Lanchkhuti.
12. Modzghvrisshvili, G. (2015) Vlg. Saguramo, Mtsketa.
13. Chaduneli, Z. (2015) Vlg. Gurgeniani, Lagodekhi.
14. Brekashvili, L. (2015) Vlg. Zemo Bodbe, Sighnaghi.

Local Name
Shkhamiani kama (1).

Description
Cap: The cap is 6–18 cm across, round to irregularly convex, becoming broadly convex or nearly flat, whitish, or with light brown colorations, especially towards the center, dry, bald, or with scattered fibrils, usually bruising yellow when rubbed, especially near the margin the bruised areas then changing to brownish after some time has elapsed. Gills are free from the stem, white at first, then pinkish, and finally dark chocolate brown, close. Stem: The stem is 5–15 cm tall, 1–3 cm thick, more or less equal, sometimes enlarged at the base, smooth, whitish, bruising yellow, sometimes brownish in age, stuffed or hollowing, with a large, flaring, thick, yellow-staining ring on the upper portion. Flesh: The flesh is white and thick, yellowing when crushed, bright yellow in the base of the stem when sliced. Spores: The spores are 4.5–6 X 3–4.5 µm, elliptical, smooth, and brownish.
Habitat: On soils, in grass and in cultivated areas, occasionally in woods. Season: Summer, autumn.
Distribution: Tbilisi (3).

Uses
Edibility: Poisonous. The symptoms are severe stomach cramps (1).

Kakheti — “My father could identify this mushroom by its specific smell” (3).

References
1. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G. (2007) Fungi of Georgia. Tbilisi: Buneba Printi.
2. Nakhutsrishvili, I.G., et al. (1986) Flora of Spore-producing Plants of Georgia (Summary). Tbilisi: Metsniereba (Russian).
3. Gonashvili, B. (2016) Dedoplistskaro.