Dynamics of Usage and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge of Edible Wild Plants: The Case of Central Black Sea Region

The purpose of this study was to determine the types, ethnobotanical characteristics, usage fields, and usage patterns of edible wild plants consumed Central Black Sea Region (Tokat, Samsun, Ordu provinces) in Turkey. In the study, document analysis and semi-structured interviews were used as data collection techniques and content analysis was applied as the data analysis method. The interviews were carried out with 18 participants selected on a voluntary basis. The semi-structured question form used in interviews was developed in line with the document review on the subject. The findings of the field interviews and the literature review revealed four main categories: the uses of edible wild plants in Black Sea cuisine, the methods of collecting and preserving edible wild plants, the way of obtaining information on wild plants, and the factors affecting the use of local wild plants. The results of the research have shown that the tradition of using edible wild plants is still widespread in the Central Black Sea region and that there is a common cultural heritage regarding them.