Uncovering Mongolia's Wild Edible Plants
In the 1940s, a Russian scientist meticulously documented a vanishing world of botanical knowledge held by Mongolian herders.
In the 1940s, when A. A. Yunatov, a Soviet botanist, first arrived in Mongolia, his mission seemed straightforward: study forage plants to support livestock development in the People's Republic of Mongolia. For over eleven years, from 1940 to 1951, Yunatov immersed himself in the Mongolian landscape, traveling across regions, collecting more than 16,000 plant specimens, and conducting systematic interviews with local herders 1 4 .
He was fluent in the local language and worked with a Mongolian assistant, Trideep Olmde, which allowed him to connect deeply with the people 1 . His key informants were knowledgeable elders and experienced livestock breeders, whom he interviewed according to a specific outline, mirroring what we would now call the key informant interviews of classical ethnobotany 1 4 . The result was his monumental work, "Fodder Plants of Pastures and Hayfields of the People's Republic of Mongolia" (FPM), published in 1954 1 .
Though Yunatov was not an ethnobotanist, his rigorous documentation captured precious indigenous knowledge about local wild plants, creating an unparalleled snapshot of Mongolian ethnobotanical practice during the mid-20th century 1 .
His work, recently re-examined by researchers, reveals a sophisticated understanding of wild edible plants that sustained nomadic cultures for generations 4 .
Through careful analysis of Yunatov's FPM, researchers have categorized 35 species of wild edible plants across 15 families and 25 genera 1 4 . The most represented families were Liliaceae and the genus Allium (which includes onions and garlic) 1 . These plants were not merely emergency food but formed a coherent system integrated into the Mongolian diet and food preparation culture.
| Category | Number of Species | Percentage of Total | Common Plant Parts Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Grain & Substitutes | 12 | 34.28% | Seeds, bulbs, roots, rhizomes |
| Wild Vegetables | 9 | 25.71% | Young plants, tender leaves, young fruits, stems |
| Tea Substitutes | 8 | 22.85% | Leaves, roots, follicles, aboveground parts |
| Wild Seasonings | 7 | 20.00% | Seeds, rhizomes, tender leaves |
| Wild Fruits | 3 | 8.57% | Fruits |
What makes this record particularly significant is its cultural depth. Yunatov recorded that seven plant species were closely linked to processing traditional dairy products, meat, and milk foods, indicating a deep integration of wild plants into the nomadic culinary system 1 . Furthermore, six of the species he documented have been proven to have been collected and consumed by Mongols since the time of Genghis Khan in the twelfth century, highlighting a remarkable continuity of traditional knowledge 1 4 .
Yunatov's approach was remarkably advanced for its time. His research methodology can be broken down into a clear, step-by-step process that would meet many modern ethnobotanical standards 1 4 :
Yunatov conducted formal interviews with prominent livestock breeders and elders of all genders at government-organized seminars and during field trips. He followed a specific interview outline to ensure systematic data collection 1 .
For every plant discussed, he collected physical specimens. These were carefully preserved, with each specimen tag noting the precise location, habitat, and date of collection. These specimens were later stored in the Vascular Herbarium of the Komarov Institute of Botany in Russia 1 .
For each plant, he recorded a standard set of information: local name, morphology, distribution, habitats, ecological characteristics, and phenology 1 4 .
Crucially, he went beyond botany to record folk understanding, palatability to livestock, and other human uses. This included detailed notes on how and when plants were collected and consumed by people 1 7 .
All this information was compiled into his book, with the fifth chapter, "The systematic overview of forage plants," forming the core of the work, spanning 272 pages 1 .
| Use Category | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|
| Nourishment | Provide calories and staples |
| Nutrition | Provide vitamins and fresh produce |
| Beverage | Create non-alcoholic drinks |
| Culinary Enhancement | Add flavor to food |
| Dietary Diversification | Provide fresh fruit |
| Tool or Method | Function in the Research |
|---|---|
| Systematic Interviews | To gather consistent, comparable folk knowledge |
| Plant Press & Specimen Collection | To create verifiable, physical records |
| Local Language Proficiency | To communicate directly with herders |
| Field Notebooks | To record detailed observations on location |
| Collaboration with Local Institutions | To gain access to communities |
One of the most fascinating practices Yunatov recorded was the collection of rhizomes from the alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum). Mongolians would sometimes gather these rhizomes from hoards accumulated by mice, a practice they poetically referred to as "opening the alpine bistort palace" 7 .
This demonstrates a nuanced ecological knowledge and an efficient way of harvesting from nature.
The primary result of Yunatov's work was the creation of an invaluable historical record. His FPM provides the most extensive snapshot of folk knowledge about wild plants in Mongolia during the 1940s and 1950s 1 . The data is a treasure trove for ethnobotanists, showing a detailed classification and utilization system for wild edibles.
Wild edible plants documented
Plant specimens collected
Of fieldwork in Mongolia
In the core chapter of FPM
The analysis of his records reveals a sophisticated understanding of plant properties. For instance, the heavy reliance on Liliaceae and Allium species is noteworthy, as many plants in this group have known health benefits and antimicrobial properties, which would have been crucial in a traditional diet heavy in meat and dairy 1 .
Yunatov's work extends far beyond a historical curiosity. In today's world, where indigenous knowledge is rapidly vanishing due to modernization, cultural homogenization, and environmental degradation, his records serve as a crucial baseline 1 . This knowledge is often preserved only through oral tradition, making it highly vulnerable to loss 8 .
Modern research institutions, like the Institute of Mongolian Traditional Medicine, now focus on researching and preserving this heritage, aiming to develop healthy foods and bioactive supplements based on traditional knowledge 3 .
Yunatov's work provides a historical foundation for such efforts, offering insights into plants that have been consumed for centuries.
"Even by today's standards, it will be challenging to obtain first-hand information of the richness and to the extent of Yunatov's research" 1 .
His meticulous documentation challenges modern researchers. His work is a powerful reminder of the depth of knowledge held by indigenous cultures and the importance of preserving it before it disappears forever. In a sense, Yunatov's century-old research is more relevant than ever, providing both a window into the past and a guide for sustainable, healthy living in the future.