Ethnobotanical Study of Edible Wild Plants in Libya

Abstract

Abstract This study was designed to document the use and conservation of edible wild plants in Libya. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 145 edible wild plant species were identified; of these, herbs represented the majority with 119 species. Regarding the parts used, the most consumed parts were leaves (in 64 species), followed by young shoots (in 39 species), fruits (in 35 species), seeds (in 16 species), flowers and roots (in 14 species each), and 8 species were consumed as a whole plant. Studies on the mode of consumption revealed a total of 12 ways of consumption, of which the majority were consumed raw (90 species), followed by consumption after cooking (56 species) and as a salad (41 species).