Wild Wheat in Armenia – Cereal Armenia

Among scientific circles, the territory of historical Armenia is considered the most likely homeland of wheat.

Today, 3 kinds of wheat grow in the territory of Armenia: Triticum boeoticum, Triticum urartu, and Triticum araraticum. The latter two are indigenous to historical Armenia and feature over 110 subtypes.

Wild wheat in Armenia was first discovered by botanist M. G. Tumanyan in 1925 when he found a number of specimens at the southeastern outskirts of Yerevan, the capital of present-day Armenia.

Interested in this discovery, academician N. I. Vavilov visited Armenia in 1934. After the examination of the habitat of wild wheat, he wrote: “I have investigated a multitude of countries that are considered agricultural, but it is very hard to find a terrain as interesting as the village of Shorbulakh. I would suggest to highlight this 50-100ha site and ensure its special care in order to preserve this interesting document of world value.”

This collection of valuable and ancient cereals along with other endangered species has existed in the vicinity of Yerevan for millions of years. In order to protect those cultures from the buildup of the city, Erebuni State Reserve was established in the District of Erebuni, Yerevan, in 1981.