ETHNO-MYCOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE OF SOME WILD MEDICINAL AND FOOD MUSHROOMS FROM OSOGOVO MOUNTAINS (NORTH MACEDONIA (original) (raw)

ETHNO-MYCOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE OF SOME WILD MEDICINAL AND FOOD MUSHROOMS FROM OSOGOVO MOUNTAINS (NORTH MACEDONIA

As important non-timber forest products, wild mushrooms provide diverse benefits, especially nutritional, medicinal and other socioeconomic benefits for ethnic groups located in NorthEast part of the Republic of North Macedonia. Ethno-mycological knowledge of most frequently used fungi was gathered from 32 inhabitants in 12 localities using in-depth interviews during April and November 2019. Each informant was asked about the local name of the fungus, its edibility, methods of preparation, habitat of growth, mode of consumption and medical use. A total of 33 species of wild mushrooms were cited. The results show that knowledge of useful mushrooms differs between two ethnic groups. The Macedonian ethnic group has the highest ethno-mycological expertise compared to Aromanian, which is expressed in their extensive cultural and practical use of fungi. On both ethnic groups man is more involved in harvesting and is the main holders of cultural aspects related to fungi. Despite the presence of edible ectomycorrhizal taxa in the research area, the two ethnic groups only seem to have an interest in saprotrophic taxa.