Traditional Knowledge of Wild Edible Plants of Biga (Çanakkale), Turkey

Abstract

Biga, located in the southwestern part of the Marmara Region of Turkey, is the largest district of Çanakkale. Wild edible plants and the ways in which they are used in Biga have not previously been documented. This ethnobotanical study of Biga was conducted between June 2011 and September 2014. In this study, we recorded information such as the local names of plants, the manner in which they are used, and the particular parts of the plants used. The cultural importance index was calculated for each taxon. One hundred and sixty-five interviews were conducted in 49 villages. The study revealed that 55 wild edible plant taxa belonging to 41 genera are used in this area. The most frequently used families are Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, Polygonaceae, and Apiaceae. The genera that represented the greatest number of taxa included Rumex (six taxa), Thymus, Eryngium, Mentha, Oenanthe, Papaver, Prunus, Rubus, and Urtica (each containing two taxa). The most culturally important species were Urtica dioica, U. urens, Malva sylvestris, Thymus longicaulis subsp. longicaulis var. subisophyllus, and Cornus mas. Local people consumed plants in the form of vegetables, fruits, beverages like herbal teas, spices, and other products. Edible parts of plants included leaves, aerial parts, young stems, and fruits. The results of our study showed that even in districts located close to cities, the use of wild edible plants still continues.