Hydrofit Plant Species Naturally Distributed in Artvin Province and Their Medicinal-Aromatic Uses

Artvin Province, with 2,727 plant taxa, is Turkey’s richest region in terms of plant diversity. This study aimed to list the hydrofit plant species distributed in Artvin and its districts, quantify them based on aquatic plant types, sample them from the field, and determine their medicinal-aromatic uses. Floristic studies conducted between 2013 and 2024 identified natural plant species growing in aquatic habitats, and their habitat, flowering period, and medicinal-aromatic uses were documented. A total of 235 taxa belonging to 48 families and 134 genera were identified in Artvin Province. When categorized by habitat, 160 species were classified as marsh hydrophytes, 56 species as amphibious hydrophytes, 2 species as free-floating hydrophytes, 9 species as fixed-floating hydrophytes, and 8 species as submerged hydrophytes. The families with the highest number of species were Poaceae (45 taxa), followed by Cyperaceae (43 taxa), and Lamiaceae (10 taxa). 126 taxa were found to have medicinal uses, while 109 taxa had no recorded medicinal-aromatic uses. Additionally, threats and threat categories for these species were identified and documented.