







































Georgian Geographical Journal 

 

Phytotoponyms- Chronicler of Local Flora 
Nana Khotcholava-Matchavariani1,* , David Tchelidze 2 
1 Arnold Chikobava Institute of Linguistics  

at Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia 
2 

Ilia University, Institute of Botany, Georgia
 

* Corresponding author: mzeshina@mail.com e-mail  

 

 

 

Introduction 

Students are particularly interested in place names derived from plant names. They know such 

toponyms well, list them with pleasure, ask questions, express their own opinions, and turn to folk 

etymologies. Properly selected, diverse material for phytotoponym analysis provides students with 

interesting information and knowledge in a number of areas (linguistics, botany, ecology, geography, 

traditional life, beliefs, etc.). The motivation behind the names of these phytotoponyms, along with the 

relationship between the designated geographical objects, can transform students' perception of their 

native environment, prompt them to consider the unfavourable state of ecology, and guide them towards 

necessary conclusions. We introduced the students to appropriate plants and their unique characteristics. 

This will facilitate a better understanding of various geographical objects and their respective locations. 

When discussing issues and presenting a proper presentation, it is necessary for students to get 

acquainted with certain terms, such as toponym, microtoponym, toponymy, phytotoponymy, name 

motivation, relict, endemic, "Red Book," and others. In this case, we are talking about phytotoponymy 

in detail, and we will give appropriate examples. 

Phytotoponyms are toponyms that arose on the basis of plant names. The names of plants form the 

basis of phytotoponymy, which, in turn, represent a rich, diverse, and multi-layered area of the 

language's vocabulary. The use of plant names to designate territories dates back to ancient times. 

Phytotoponyms are the result of deep thinking, observation, and many years of experience with a 

particular ethnic group. The analysis of phytotoponyms determines numerous factors, such as the flora 

of a particular geographical area (even in the distant past), the economic and cultural existence of the 

population, religious destinations, the boundaries of ancient settlements, migrations, and internal 

migrations, among others. We draw attention to the fact that the Georgian language reveals rich and 

diverse possibilities in the linguistic design of phytotoponyms, which we make visible to students by 

giving relevant examples. This time, we will take the following presentation material (phytotoponyms) 

as an example: Dzelkviani is the administrative unit of Kutaisi municipality since 2014; Dzelkviana is 

one of the districts of Ofshkvit village, Tskaltubo municipality; Dzelkvebi is a plain place in the village 

of Zeda Kldeeti, Zestafoni Municipality; Dzelkva is a sowing place in Lanchkhuti municipality; and 

Dzelkvavenakhi is a vineyard in the village of Lower Sazano, Zestafoni Municipality. 

When analysing phytotoponyms, it is necessary to discuss more than one issue in a certain order.  

I. Linguistic analysis 

First, we perform a linguistic analysis of the given material – phytotoponyms. 

Georgian Geographical Journal, 2024, 4(1) 80-83 

© The Author(s) 2024 

 
This article is an open access article distributed under 

the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons 

Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// 

creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). 

DOI: https://journals.4science.ge/index.php/GGJ 

Abstract 

Toponymy is a distinctive field of language vocabulary. Taking into account 

the conclusions obtained on the basis of its scientific study is the best way to 

fully understand the nature, landscape, historical past, migration of ethnic 

groups of a particular country, since the adventures of the country and the 

peculiarities of its nature are most succinctly conveyed by toponyms. In 

Kartvelology there are a number of valuable scientific works in the field of 

toponymy. We consider it necessary to include toponymy achievements in 

educational programs of general schools. It will be useful in many ways to 

make it interesting. 

Keywords: Phytotoponyms, flora, Dzelkva, Georgia 

Citation: Khotcholava-Matchavariani, N.; 

Tchelidze, D. Phytotoponyms- Chronicler of 
Local Flora. Georgian Geographical 
Journal 2024, 4(1) 80-83. 

https://doi.org/10.52340/ggj.2024.04.01.10 

 
Received: 9 November 2023 

Revised: 22 April 2024 

Accepted: 5 June 2024 

Published: 7 June 2024 



Khocholava-Matchavariani & Tchelidze, 2024 4(1) 

81 
 

Dzelkva - simple noun, nominative case, singular; Dzelkv-eb-i - simple noun, nominative case, plural; 

Dzelkv-ian-a - derived name, dzelkv- stem, ian-a – complex suffix; Dzelkvavenakhi (< 

dzelkva+venakhi) - a complex name. 

The stem of these names is divided into dzelkv-/dzelkva. This is the name of one of the trees (Georgian 

ძელქვა [Dzelkva], English "Caucasian elm" or "Caucasian zelkova"). Based on this, the motivation of 

the name of the given geographical objects is determined - the presence of the mentioned tree in these 

places. 

Here, we will draw the students' attention to the unfortunate fact that, with one exception, there are no 

longer any Caucasian zelkova trees on the mentioned geographical objects. 

II. Getting to know this plant  

We try to show and introduce students to this tree from different angles: botanical description, 

distribution, use, origin of its international nomenclature name, ecology, etymology of the name, etc. 

For this, we actively use appropriate visual material. 

“Zelkova is agenus of six species of deciduous trees in the elm family Ulmaceae, native to southern 

Europe, and southwest and eastern Asia. They vary in size from shrubs (Z. sicula) to large trees up to 

35 m (115 ft) tall (Z. carpinifolia)”.  

Common species in Georgia is Zelkova carpinifolia (Pall.) K. Koch. It is a tree up to 25-30 m tall with 

grey-green thick dense bark, growing in moist forests, coastal plains and lower mountain belt. In 

Georgia, it is common in Samegrelo, Imereti, Guria and Kakheti (Babaneuri nature reserve). It is a relic 

of the Tertiary period and is included in the "Red Book" of Georgia (Gagnidze et al., 1975). 

III. Distinctive properties and use of the plant 

Caucasian zelkova (Zelkova carpinifolia) is a fast-growing, rare and beautiful ornamental tree. In 

many countries it can be found in parks and squares. Zelkova trees live for centuries.  

Caucasian zelkova has hard, elastic, highly durable wood, which is superior to oak wood in terms of 

technical properties. It is a valuable building material, it withstands moisture. In Western Georgia, 

houses and wooden churches, as well as fences, were built from it. The wood was also used in carpentry 

and furniture production, they also made work tools. 

IV.The name „Zelkova“in the International Botanical Nomenclature 

The establishment of the name of Georgian origin (Zelkova) in the international botanical 

nomenclature has an interesting history: In 1771, a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, I.A. 

Güldenstedt traveled to the Caucasus on a special assignment. In Georgia, near the city of Kutaisi, he 

noticed an unknown tree and called it Rhamnus ulmoides.  Güldenstedt wrote in his diary: “...The bumps 

forced me to have a rest day on August 23rd. Here I saw a tree which I had never seen before, and which 

is here called Zelkva... I described it under the name of Rhamnus ulmoides." (Güldenstedt, 1962). 

  In 1788 P. Pallas described this plant and called it Rhamnus carpinifolia, in 1819 M. Biberstein called 

it Planera Richardi. In 1841, E. Spach named the genus Zelkova after the Georgian "Dzelkva", and 

named the species Zelkova crenata. In1892 L. Dippel called this species Zelkova carpirifolia. Today 

this species is presented in the international nomenclature of plants as such Zelkova carpinifolia (Pall.) 

C. Koch.  

Here we provide students with information about who Johann Anton Güldenstedt was and for what 

purpose he traveled to the Caucasus. 

Anton Güldenstedt (1745 - 1781) was a naturalist, a doctor of medicine, a true member of the Russian 

Academy of Sciences. He participated in the expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences of 1768-

1774, which served the subjects of the conquest of Russia. His two-volume work contains a faithful 

account of his journey. 

V. Georgian scientists about Caucasian zelkova („Dzelkva”) 

This plant, common in the wild nature of Georgia, has always attracted the attention of Georgian 

scientists. They recorded the places where this tree grew, described it, wrote interesting information 

about the tree, for example: „ ...According to the legend recorded in Tsaisi, the Genoese, who discovered 

hot springs, erected three Zelkova in this place in honor of this, two of which are still alive today.” 

(Chitaya, 2001). 

 „Zelkova is one of the oldest plants on our planet... This means that it was widespread in the past 

geological era. There must have been its large forests in the Caucasus as well… The fact that it was 

widespread in Georgia, apart from its fragmented area, is also confirmed by the fact that the remains of 

stone slabs from Shirak and Meskheti (Kisatibi fossils) are often found... Around Lanchkhuti there is a 

shrubbery, in Adjara there is no more of it, in Imereti - Ajametsky reserve we have more or less a good 



Khocholava-Matchavariani & Tchelidze, 2024 4(1) 

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grove. Even more of them have been preserved in yards, under vineyard fences, in cemeteries... In the 

Terzholiy district, in the area of Ishkhneli, there is a unique stone pillar, the thickness of which reaches 

several meters... In the forest of Babaneuri there are several very large... Zelkova tree. One of them, a 

good man from Babaneur, Dimitri Gaurashvili, called this tree the head of the forest; He tried to save 

the tree. On his initiative, Babaneuri Dzelkviani was declared a nature reserve since 1965" (Ketskhoveli, 

1980).  

 VI. Zelkova in Georgian beliefs 

We are talking about the tree cult in Georgian folk beliefs. We note here that along with other iconic 

trees (oak, lime...) in Georgia, Dzelkova was also considered a sacred tree and was worshiped. We 

introduce the students to appropriate ethnographic material, including the ones we obtained during field 

work. 

VII. Why is this tree called “Dzelkva”?  

The dendronym ძელქვა (Zelkva) is a complex word and consists of 2 nouns: ძელი (dzeli) + ქვა 
(kva). „The name Zelkova derives from the native name of Z. carpinifolia in the Georgian language – 

one of the Kartvelian languages spoken in theCaucasus, as shown by the Georgian name, ძელქვა 

(dzelkva), from ძელი (dzeli) meaning 'bar' or 'pillar', and ქვა (kva) meaning 'rock', 'stone' The tree was 

often used for making rock-hard and durable bars for building and furniture “. 

 Thus, the semantics of this name is related to the strength and durability of the tree's wood. 

VIII. The meaning of the name „Dzelkva“in Georgian. As a result of the research, it turns out that 

„Dzelkva“in Georgian is not only the name of Zelkova carpirifolia, but it refers to other trees as well: 

In dialects of the Georgian language, it can refer to Celtis caucasica (Kartl.) or Acer platanoides (Mtiul., 

Rach.). „Dzelkva“is confirmed in the old Georgian texts of the Bible, in the new Georgian translations 

of which we have Plane tree (rarely, maple, chestnut, elm, ash tree, white poplar) as equivalent to 

Zelkova. In the old Georgian dictionaries (XVII-XIX centuries), Plane tree and Zelkova are also 

presented as synonyms. (Compare also: „Of the valuable trees that grew in the valleys, we can point 

to... Dzelkva or planertree, which is already rare and superior in quality to all other local tree species” 

(CGS, 1866). 

 R. Eristavi (19th centuary) made a breakthrough in the definition of Zelkova and he wrote the name 

of this tree in his dictionary with international nomenclature (Eristavi, 1884). 

 Thus, "Dzelkva" in Georgian is: 1. The official (scientific) name of a certain plant genus (Zelcova) 

and one of its species (Zelkova carpirifolia); 2. The name of Plane tree (sometimes also of other trees) 

in old Georgian; 3. The name of some trees of another genus (Celtis caucasica, Acer platanoides) in 

dialects; 4. The general name of trees with strong wood in dialects. 

 Here, we remind the students of R. Eristavi's famous poem and explain that he was not only a poet 

and public figure, but also a scientist and lexicographer. 

 After the presentation, a field study is planned, where the students will see the pillar in nature. This 

can be Tbilisi Botanical Garden, Babaneuri Reserve or any of the above-listed places where you can 

still see this tree. 

Conclusion 

Teaching with project models turned out to be an effective way to learn about Georgia's toponymy. 

For a student, it means not only repetition and reconciliation of the knowledge acquired so far from 

different subjects, but also enrichment of this knowledge, and, what is especially important, the 

opportunity to see a number of issues in a new way. 

The students realized after learning about and discussing the presented issues that phytotoponyms 

store valuable information and can be considered chroniclers of the local flora. 

For the teacher, it becomes clear that finding and analysing appropriate toponyms when familiarising 

oneself with a number of issues makes the learning process more interesting and effective. Teachers 

across various subjects will utilize this resource. 

Competing interests 

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. 

Authors’ contribution 

N.K. and D. T. conceived of the presented idea. N.K. took the lead in writing the manuscript. All 

authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the research, analysis and manuscript. 



Khocholava-Matchavariani & Tchelidze, 2024 4(1) 

83 
 

ORCID iD 

Nana Khotcholava-Matchavariani https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9749-2648 

Reference 

Caucasian Geographical Society. (1866). Book 7, Tiflis 

Chitaya, G. (2001). Works in five volumes, Vol. III, Tbilisi 

Eristavi, R. (1884). A short Georgian-Russian-Latin dictionary from the kingdoms of plants, animals and metals, 

Tiflis 

Güldenstädt (1962). Güldenstädt's Journey to Georgia, volume one, published the German text with a Georgian 

translation and added research by G. Gelashvili, Tbilisi 

Ketskhoveli N. (1980). Nature wounded in the chest, Tbilisi 

Gagnidze, R., Dolukhanov, A., Kemularia-Natadz, LL., Shkhiani, A., Gvinianidze, Z., Ter-Khachaturova, S. 

(1975). Flora of Georgia. Vol. 3. Metsniereba, Tbilisi 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


