Investigation of plants with ethnobotanical use in Gaziantep province (Turkey)

This research was carried out to determine the ethnobotanical use of natural and cultural plants used by local people living in the rural areas of Gaziantep province. The research was conducted in 2013-2016. As a result of interviews made with the people of the region, 65 plant species belonging to 59 genera and 24 families were identified. Families with the most species in terms of use: Asteraceae (10 species), Rosaceae (10 species), Brassicaceae (6 species), Lamiaceae (6 species), Anacardiaceae (3 species), Apiaceae (3 species), Liliaceae (3 species) and Moraceae (3 species). The proportion of wild plant species to total species in the study area is 60% (39 species). It was determined that these plant species were used for various purposes (food, medicinal, spices, tea, chewing gum, toothpicks, textile, amulet, and fodder). The wild medicinal plants sold must be cultured to ensure standardization and the medicinal plant sellers should be adequately trained.