Geophytes as Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Abstract

In the flora of Turkey there are more than 9000 plant species. 500 of these plants are appreciated as medicinal plants. Geophytes (bulbs, tubers and rhizomes plants) with its 26 genus and 540 species, have a very important place in this flora. 1/3 of these species are endemic. People use them in different types. Geophytes contain alkaloids (tazettin, galanthamine etc.) and other compounds. This makes them important as medicinal and aromatic plants. In the scope of this paper, geophyte species that can be used as medicinal and aromatic plants, their spreading areas in Turkey, general characteristics and usage areas are studied.