Wild edible plants and their traditional use in the human nutrition in Manyas (Turkey)

Abstract

Ethnobotany is a preliminary method of research, suitable for gathering information on the nutritional use of plants. This paper aims to present the ethnobotanical field research data on food plants used in Manyas region. It provides a general perspective on their significance in past and present Manyas, and examines the concept of wild edible plants as medicinal plants. The information about the use of wild edible plants was collected from 4 different open-air-markets and 14 villages in the city over a period of two years (2009-2011), through unstructured interviews. In this study, a total of 58 wild food plant taxa belonging to 25 families were established and also plant parts used, ethnographic data related to vernacular names, traditional use were recorded. Family Lamiaceae is represented by the highest number of taxa (10), followed by Astaraceae (7), Rosaceae (6), Apiaceae (5). The most commonly used species in the region are Apium graveolens L. (kereviz), Oenanthe pimpinelloides L. (hadik), Petroselinum crispum (Mill.) Fuss (maydanoz), Lepidium sativum L. (tere), Nasturtium officinale R. Br. (gerdeme), Malva neglecta Wallr. (ebegiimeci), Papaver rhoeas L. (gelincik), Rumex tuberosus L. (kuzukulaki), Rumex patientia L. (labada), Polygonum amphibium L. (kune) and Urtica dioica L. (isirgan). The study showed that the plants used are either eaten raw, or cooked by boiling in water, frying in oil, baked to be served as dishes such as stew, salad as hot drink. The study can provide a basic data that may be helpful for prioritization of conservation through sustainable use and management of the resources.