Traditional uses of wild plants in Mardin central district and attached villages (Turkey)

Abstract

This research reveals traditional uses of wild plants found in Artuklu district in Mardin Province in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. This study, conducted between 2017 and 2019, gathered information on the medicinal and other uses of plant species traditionally used in Artuklu and the local names of these plants. Face to face surveys were conducted with 183 people in 91 neighbourhoods. The ethnobotanical uses of 125 plants belonging to 35 families, which are traditionally underutilized by the local people, have been recorded. Our results showed that the highest Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) was recorded for the species Lathyrus pseudocicera Pamp. (0.32). 1 taxon is from Stereocaulaceae of Fungi, 2 taxa are from Pteridophyta and the others 122 taxa are from Magnoliophyta. In the region, plants mostly belonging to the families Fabaceae (21 taxa), Lamiaceae (11 taxa), Asteraceae (10 taxa) and Brassicaceae (10 taxa) were determined. The recorded ethnobotanical uses are for: food (64), medicinal (40), fodder (12), children's toys (5) and various other purposes (4). Due to the fact that Turkish, Kurdish, Arabic and Assyrian people have lived together in the Artuklu district, this ethnic diversity increased the use of wild plants and added richness. Preserving the coexistence of different cultural and religious groups in the research zone is essential for the maintenance of the rich wild plant local heritage.