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). INTRODUCTIONABSTRACT ethnobotany, edible, rural, raw, cooked, flora. KEYWORDS

The aim of this study is to investigate the floristic analysis of the family Asteraceae in Libya depending on the data provided from Flora of Libya, the result showed that the family Asteraceae in Libya comprises 240 plant species belonging to 97 genera. The result also showed the dominance of the genus Centaurea with 12 species, followed by Crepis and Anthemis with 11 species each, then Atractylis with 9 species. Life forms and chorological spectra were analyzed as well which showed predominanceof Therophyte life forms with 153 species followed by Hemicryptophytes with 56 species and predominance of Mediterranean Chorotypes with 123 species, followed by Med-Iranu /Turanean with 22 species.

Physalis angulata has been discovered and recorded for the first time in the flora of Libya. This species was collected from the Bilash′har region belonging to the city of Tajura, about 20 km east of Tripoli. P. angulata is easily identified by its small yellow flowers without central dark spots in the center, and by pedulus globose berry enclosed within an inflated bladdery fruiting calyx. Detailed descriptions, photographs, habitat and ecology are provided for easy identification, and to facilitate further identification of this species and to warrant its future detection.

Artemisia vulgaris L. (mugwort) has been reported for the first time from Libya. This exotic species is native in Asia, Europe and North America. Flowering specimens of A. vulgaris collected from Khallet Alforjan about 18 km south of Tripoli. It is presented with updated nomenclature, taxonomic description, geographical distribution, place of occurrence in Libya, and field colored photographs are also provided. The voucher specimens were deposited in the

A new record for Abutilon theophrasti is recorded for the first time in the flora of Libya. This widespread agricultural weed was collected from El-Hamra region (El-Qabel) in the Nafusa Mountain south of Tripoli. To facilitate further identification and future detection, a full description, habitat information, distribution map and distribution data are provided. A brief discussion about the most important threats posed by this species is presented.