Widely Utilized Wild Edible Plants: A Case Study from Turkey

The geographical location of Turkey between three continents has resulted into diverse natural ecosystems with very rich plant genetic resources in the world. This wide diversity has played an important role in domestication, selection, conservation and use of these plant resources in terms of cultivated and naturally growing plant taxa. The use of wild edible plants is widespread in Turkey, especially in rural areas. The wild species are of great importance for the local inhabitants as a food source. This source has played an important role in the regional economy of different regions in the country as well as elsewhere in the world. The wild edible plant species have different uses in different countries and even in different provinces of the same country. Although a common sight in the rural areas, the demand for wild edible species considered as a vegetable in Turkey has increased lately, even among the people living in the large cities. A large number of species are sold at the local markets which play an important role in the vegetable consumption in large urban settlements. This review chapter presents information on the wild growing plants consumed as a vegetable in Turkey.