Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 1 (1), January 2015, pp. 69-75

Survey of wild food for human consumption in Elazığ ()

Rıdvan Polat1*, Ugur Cakilcioglu2, Musa Denizhan Ulusan3 & Mehmet Yavuz Paksoy4 1Giresun University, Espiye Vocational School, Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Espiye, Giresun 28600, Turkey; 2Tunceli University, Pertek Sakine Genç Vocational School, Pertek, Tunceli 62500, Turkey 3Süleyman Demirel Üniversity, Faculty of Forestry, Depermant of Soil Science and Ecology, Isparta 32000, Turkey. 4Tunceli University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Enviromental Engineering, Tunceli 62100, Turkey *E-mail: [email protected]

Received 23 May 2014, revised 15 July 2014

This study aims to record accumulation of knowledge on plants which are used as food by local people of Elazığ that has a rich culture and a very natural environment. Field study was carried out over a period of approximately two years (2010-2011). During this period, 92 vascular specimens were collected. The plants were pressed in the field and prepared for identification. A total of 62 food plants belonging to 28 families were identified in the region. There is no detailed information in the literature with regard to the use of brevipes for human nutrition. It is certained that wild plants being used for nutritional purposes by human beings are also used for medicinal purposes. Highlighting the importance of flora and ethnobotanical inventory studies in terms of the protection and use of plant sources, what is required is the cultivation of endangered plant species, establishment of seedbanks for these plants, recording of their natural habitat as well as conducting studies in order to raise public awareness.

Keywords: Wild food plants, Ethnobotany, Elazığ, Turkey

IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K 36/00, A47G 19/26, A47J 39/02

Humans have always made use of their native flora, Alternatively, they are stuffed. Some research has not just as a source of food but also for fuel, medicine, been conducted on some edible wild plants4. clothing, home construction, and chemical production. In other areas during years of hunger, people Traditional knowledge of plants and their properties preferred to eat cord (leather shoelaces) or beech bark, has always been transmitted from generation to rather than wild fauna or delicious wild vegetables. generation through the natural course of everyday life. Flowering plants were not even considered6. Wild However, the continuation of this knowledge is edible flora did not play a major role in the endangered when transmission between the older and population’s survival in ancient times. However, it younger generation is no longer assured¹. Documentation was crucial for survival during the recent war in of indigenous knowledge through². Therefore, , especially in the cities that establishment of the local names and indigenous uses of were under siege. Wild edible plants may satisfy the plants has significant potential societal benefits³. daily human need for elementary nutrition sources, Medicinal plant studies have increased in recent particularly those of vitamins C and A, and for some years. In the Eastern Anatolia Region, most minerals, according to WHO regulations7. 4 ethnobotanic studies have been conducted in Elazığ . This study was conducted in and around Elazığ, As well as use for medicinal purposes, wild plants can which has a rich cultural heritage and natural also be used as food. In particular, wild plants growing environment in order to research and record the in spring when vegetables are rare are commonly used accumulation of knowledge of local people in our country, notably in the Aegean and Eastern concerning wild plants used as food for human 5 Anatolia Regions . Plants are used as food; eaten raw, nutrition. Another aim was to raise awareness with or boiled, drained and then rice is added. They are regard to the direct effects of these plants, many of eaten with or without eggs or with garlic yoghurt. which are also used as an economic way to feed —————— animals. This study was also conducted to serve as a *Corresponding author source for scientists for the purpose of determining 70 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL. 1, NO 1, JANUARY 2015

the nutritional value of edible wild plants by Plant materials comparing information obtained in ethnobotany studies, Field study was carried out over a period of and researching the safety of the use of these plants. approximately 2 yrs (2010-2011). During this period, 92 specimens were collected. Materials and methods The plants were pressed in the field and prepared Study area for identification. Plants were identified using Study area was located on the East of Anatolian the standard text, “Flora of Turkey and the 9 diagonal, in the skirts of South-Eastern Taurus Mountains, East Aegean Islands” . The names of plant families in the Upper Region of the Eastern Anatolia were listed in alphabetic order. Scientific names of Region8. Elazığ (Fig. 1) belongs to the -Turan Plant plant species were identified according to the Geography Region and falls within the B7 grid square International Plant Name Index (IPNI: according to the Grid classification system developed http://www.ipni.org). After the taxon names were by Davis9. Elazığ Province is bounded to the East by identified, instances of endemism and hazard 10 Bingöl, to the West by Malatya, to the South by categories were specified. We examined whether the Diyarbakır, and to the North by Tunceli. It is situated plants used in had literature records or not. between longitudes 40–38º East and latitudes 38–39º North. The county is 1067 m above sea level. Interviews with local people According to the data obtained from the website of A questionnaire was administered to the local Elazığ Province Administration (http://www.elazig.gov.tr/) people in Elazığ city center and 26 villages in the vicinity Elazığ is located in junction of roads connecting of the city center, through face-to-face interviews with Eastern Anatolia Region to West. Within provincial 212 residents of Elazığ province. Mean age of the borders, there are rivers, lakes and dams. Elazığ respondents was 53 yrs (in 30–76 yrs range). which had a continental climate in the past has now Interviews were made on the busy hours of the transitioned to a mild climate as a result of dams built common areas (especially houses and market places, in the region. History of the region goes back to etc.) visited by the citizens of Elazığ province. The ancient times. The history of Elazığ should be respondents of the questionnaire are Turkish citizens. considered in conjuction with its predecessor; Harput. As we think that young people are not suitable for an Harput and its vicinity are one of the oldest residential ethnobotanical study, the questionnaire was only areas of Anatolia. As a matter of fact, owing to the the administered to people over 30 who know about food region in which the Fırat River lies, natural shelters plants. The people who had knowledge of plants were and abundance of land and freshwater animals, the visited at least for two times; one of these visits is region has been a settlement area since Paleolithic era. particularly paid to their houses. The experiences of According to the data from Turkish Statistical Institute, the local people were recorded during the interviews. (http://tuikapp.tuik.gov.tr/adnksdagitapp/adnks.zul). During the interviews, demographic characteristics of Turkey’s population is 73.722.988 and Elazığ’s population the study participants, and local names, utilized parts is 552.646 as of the date of 31 th December 2010. 74 % and preparation methods of the plants were recorded. of the population within the borders of the province The people who participated in the study were lives in urban areas whereas the remaining 26 % lives requested to indicate the wild plants they used. These in rural areas. plants were collected from the work book.

Fig. 1—Geographical location of the study area POLAT et al.: SURVEY OF WILD FOOD PLANTS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN ELAZIG, TURKEY 71

Calculations Allium ampeloprasum L., Amygdalus communis L., Juglans The use value11, a quantitative method that regia L., neglecta Wallr., Mentha sp., Morus demonstrates the relative importance of species nigra L., Portulaca oleracea L., Rheum ribes L., Rhus known locally, was also calculated according to the coriaria L., Rosa canina L., Rubus sanctus Schreber, following formula: UV = U/N, where UV refers to the Thymus sp. and Urtica dioica L., was the plants most use value of a species; U to the number of citations used by the local people. per species; and N to the number of informants. Numerous scientific research studies conducted in Knowing the use value of a kind may be useful in the last few years have revealed that a diet rich in determining the use reliability of the related plant. fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral salts is the diet considered to be the most ideal in Results and discussion order to maintain good health and prevent various illnesses12. Other than uses of many edible wild plants Demographic characteristics of study participants in treating illnesses as well as interesting local Demographic characteristics of the respondents elements, some of them (Crocus leichtlinii (Dewer) were determined and recorded through face-to-face Bowles, Ficus carica L., Morus nigra L., Rheum ribes L., interviews. Of the participants who took part in Rosa canina, Rubus sanctus Schreber) are also used the questionnaire, 53 were between the ages of as a source of vitamins and minerals. The studies that 30 and 40, 77 were between the ages of 41 and 50, have been conducted assert that edible wild plants 40 were between the ages of 51 and 60, 28 were resemble other vegetables; moreover those plants are between the ages of 61 and 70, and 14 were over the richer in some nutritional elements13. age of 71. Of the participants, 49 were residing in the The plants are used as spices since they give smell and province for less than 10 yrs; 163 were residing in the flavor. This type of use is very common in Anatolia14. province for 11 yrs and above. Species of Allium ampeloprasum L., Mentha longifolia A total of 141 were living in villages and county, (L.) Hudson subsp. typhoides (Briq.) Harley var. 71 were living in Elazığ province. Of the participants, typhoides, Origanum vulgare L., Rhus coriaria L., 136 were male, 76 were female. A total of 104 of Satureja hortensis L., Teucrium polium L., the participants were primary school graduate, 47 were Thymus haussknechtii Velen., Thymus kotschyanus secondary school graduate, 18 were high school Boiss. & Hohen. var. kotschyanus are used as spice in graduate and 43 were university graduates. Elazığ located within the Eastern Anatolia Region. Use of wild plants as food It is very common to consume wild plants as In the study conducted in Elazığ, recorded uses tea15,16. Species of Anthemis wiedemanniana Fisch. & of wild plants as food are given in Table 1, as is Mey., Bellis perennis L., Crataegus orientalis Pallas information regarding family, scientific name, edible ex Bieb. var. orientalis, Hibiscus sp., Juniperus parts, utilization methods, and uses stated in the oxycedrus L. subsp. oxycedrus, Juniperus oxycedrus literature. Aerial parts, branches, flowers, fruits, L. subsp. oxycedrus, Origanum vulgare L., Salvia sp., leaves, roots, seeds, stems, and tubers are used as Sideritis sp., Urtica dioica L. are consumed as herbal food. In general, wild plants are used uncooked and in Elazığ. Besides, wild plants are commonly without any processing, by preparing salads from eaten fresh (Amaranthus viridis, Helianthus them. They are also used as pickles, jam, tea by tuberosus, Tragopogon pterocarpus, Nasturtium preparing syrups. They can be used as fruit- or spice officinale, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sinapis arvensis, by boiling them with water, rice, meat and egg or as a Hippophae rhamnoides, Trifolium pratense var. filling ingredient for pies. They are also stuffed or pratense, Fumaria officinalis, Crocus leichtlinii, soups are made from them. sari, Juglans regia, Allium ampeloprasum, Ficus Interviews with the local people living in Elazığ carica, Morus nigra, Polygonum cognatum, Rheum and villages in the study area indicated that 62 plants ribes, Paliurus spina-christi, Cerasus mahaleb var. were used for food purposes. The most common mahaleb, Crataegus monogyna subsp. monogyna, families are: Asteraceae (9 plants), Rosaceae (8 plants), Cotoneaster nummularia, Pyrus communis subsp. Lamiaceae (8 plants), Brassicaceae (4 plants), Fabaceae caucasica, Rubus sanctus, tournefortii), (4 plants). The overall number of taxa cited of the most consumed as cooked vegetable dish (Amaranthus used botanical families can be seen in Fig. 2. retroflexus, Amaranthus viridis, Gundelia tournefortii 72 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL. 1, NO 1, JANUARY 2015

Table 1—Wild food plants in Elazığ Plant Family Plant species, voucher specimen Vernacular Edible Utilization methods UV No. name of Elazığ parts a 1 Amaranthaceae Amaranthus retroflexus L. RP-122 Kızılot Aer Cooked vegetable dish 0.22 2 Amaranthus viridis L. RP-62 Silmastik Aer Eaten fresh; leaves cooked as 0.13 vegetable or egg-vegetable dish 3 Amaryllidaceae Allium ampeloprasum L. RP-35 Yabani See, Added to foods by milling its 0.46 sarımsak Lea seeds; as spice; eaten fresh; leaves eaten in salads 4 Anacardiaceae Pistacia terebinthus L. subsp. Çedene Fru Consumed as 0.09 palaestina (Boiss.) Engler. RP-71 5 Rhus coriaria L. RP-101 Sumak Fru As spice; prepared sour souce 0.57 is added to food, stuffed vegetables and salads 6 Echinophora tenuifolia L. subsp. Çörtük Aer Mixed soups; used in pickle 0.09 sibthorpiana (Guss.) Tutin RP-57 production 7 Araceae Arum maculatum L. RP-167 Nifik Lea Leaves eaten in salads 0.06 8 Asphodelaceae Eremurus spectabilis Bieb. RP-60 Gullik Lea Leaves cooked as vegetable 0.12 9 Asteraceae Achillea millefolium L. RP-72 Herezan Lea Used in pickle production 0.32 10 Anthemis wiedemanniana Fisch. & Papatya Flo As 0.20 Mey. Endemic, LC (Least concern). RP-11 11 Bellis perennis L. RP-49 Papatya Flo As herbal tea 0.04 12 Carduus nutans L. subsp. nutans Eek dikeni Ste Fresh plant is eaten after 0.07 RP-154 peeling off the outer part 13 Gundelia tournefortii L. var. Kenger Aer Cooked as a stew or egg- 0.27 tournefortii RP-13 vegetable dish; eaten by removing its awns; obtained gum is chewed 14 Helianthus tuberosus L. RP-147 Yabani Tub Eaten fresh 0.34 yerelması 15 Lactuca serriola L. RP-142 Yabanmarulu Lea Leaves eaten in salads 0.04 16 Scorzonera semicana DC. Endemic, Yemlik Aer Cooked as a stew or egg- 0.12 LC (Least concern). RP-110 vegetable dish 17 Tragopogon pterocarpus DC. RP-118 Yemlik Flo, Eaten fresh; pie is made from 0.21 Lea its leaves 18 Boraginaceae Anchusa azurea Mill. var. azurea Guruz, tort Lea Leaves cooked as vegetable 0.18 RP-113 19 Brassicaceae Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. Çoban çantası Aer Cooked as a stew or egg- 0.30 RP-19 vegetable dish 20 Nasturtium officinale R.Br. RP-124 Acice, tujik Aer, Eaten fresh; leaves eaten in 0.17 Lea salads 21 Raphanus raphanistrum L. RP-23 Yabani turp Aer Eaten fresh 0.15 22 Sinapis arvensis L. RP-51 Hardal Lea Eaten fresh 0.09 23 Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium album L. RP-160 Sirken Lea Cooked as a stew or egg- 0.17 vegetable dish 24 Cupressaceae Juniperus oxycedrus L. subsp. Ardıç Fru As herbal tea 0.34 oxycedrus RP-121 25 Elaeagnaceae Hippophae rhamnoides L. subsp. Piot Fru Eaten fresh 0.27 caucasica Roussi RP-74 26 Fabaceae Glycyrrhiza glabra L. RP-43 Biyan, meyan Roo Roots, chewed and sucked; their 0.32 root is boiled and soup is made (contd.) POLAT et al.: SURVEY OF WILD FOOD PLANTS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN ELAZIG, TURKEY 73

Table 1—Wild food plants in Elazığ (contd.)

Plant Family Plant species, voucher specimen Vernacular Edible Utilization methods UV No. name of Elazığ parts a 27 Ononis spinosa L. subsp. Kayıkıran Aer Cooked as a stew or egg- 0.04 leiosperma (Boiss.) Sirj. RP-73 vegetable dish 28 Trifolium pratense L. var. pratense Kırmızı yonca Aer Eaten fresh 0.34 RP-130 29 Quercus cerris L. var. cerris RP-96 Mee Fru It is fried in pan then their 0.11 core is eaten 30 Fumariaceae Fumaria officinalis L. RP-87 ahtere Lea Eaten fresh 0.06 31 Crocus leichtlinii (D. Dewar) Çiğdem Aer Eaten fresh 0.14 Bowles Endemic, LC (Least concern). RP-4 32 Iris sari Schott ex Baker Endemic, Nergiz, Flo Eaten fresh 0.11 LC (Least concern). RP-83 kurtkulağı 33 Juglandaceae Juglans regia L. RP-135 Çeviz, goz See Added into pie and cakes; 0.40 eaten fresh 34 Lamiaceae Mentha longifolia (L.) Hudson Yarpuz, nane Lea As herbal tea; as spice; leaves 0.48 subsp. typhoides (Briq.) Harley var. eaten in salads; leaves cooked typhoides RP-33 as vegetable 35 Origanum vulgare L. RP-85 Kekik Lea As herbal tea; as spice 0.28 36 Salvia officinalis L. RP-56 Adaçayı Flo, As herbal tea 0.19 Lea 37 Satureja hortensis L. RP-32 Anuh, zambur Lea As spice; used in pickle 0.14 production 38 Sideritis montana L. subsp. Adaçayı Aer As herbal tea 0.19 montana RP-144 39 Teucrium polium L. RP-132 Ürper Flo As spice 0.18 40 Thymus haussknechtii Velen. Endemic, Kekik Lea As spice 0.52 NT (near threatened). RP-65 41 Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. & Kekik Lea As spice 0.41 Hohen. var. kotschyanus RP-105 42 Hibiscus trionum L. RP-115 Hatmi çiçeği Flo As herbal tea 0.23 43 Malva neglecta Wallr. RP-69 Ebegümeci, Bra, Cooked vegetable dish 0.43 tollik Lea 44 Moraceae Ficus carica L. RP-151 Yabani incir Fru Eaten fresh; jam is made 0.36 45 Morus nigra L. RP-162 Karadut Fru Eaten fresh; jam is made 0.39 46 Papaveraceae Papaver rhoeas L. RP-94 Bük, gelincik Flo Cooked as a stew or egg- 0.22 vegetable dish 47 Plantaginaceae Plantago major L. subsp. major Bağa, bağ Lea Used as stuffing leaves from 0.23 RP-46 yapragı fresh leaves 48 Poaceae Agropyron repens (L.) P. Beauv. Ayrık Aer Patila is made by mixing 0.30 RP-6 fresh leaves 49 Polygonaceae Polygonum cognatum Meissn. Madımak Aer, Cooked vegetable dish; eaten 0.32 RP-81 Lea fresh; leaves eaten in salads 50 Rheum ribes L. RP-103 Igın, rewe Aer Cooked as a stew or egg- 0.38 vegetable dish; eaten fresh 51 Portulacaceae Portulaca oleracea L. RP-134 Pirpirim Aer, Fresh as salad or cooked plant 0.41 Lea is with yogurt; leaves cooked as vegetable 52 Rhamnaceae Paliurus spina-christi Miller RP-95 Dalıke Fru Eaten fresh 0.22 53 Rosaceae Amygdalus communis L. RP-93 Badem, ajik, See Eaten as dried nuts; used in 0.52 payam, çagala pie making (contd.) 74 INDIAN J TRADIT KNOWLE, VOL. 1, NO 1, JANUARY 2015

Table 1—Wild food plants in Elazığ (contd.) Plant Family Plant species, voucher specimen Vernacular Edible Utilization methods UV No. name of Elazığ parts a 54 Cerasus mahaleb (L.) Miller var. Melem Fru Eaten fresh 0.37 mahaleb RP-37 55 Crataegus monogyna Jacq. subsp. Aluç, alıç Fru Eaten fresh 0.26 monogyna RP-21 56 Cotoneaster nummularia Fisch. & Dağmumulası Fru Eaten fresh 0.30 Mey. RP-138 57 Crataegus orientalis Pallas ex Bieb. Aluç, heluje Flo As herbal tea 0.20 var. orientalis RP-8 58 Pyrus communis L. subsp. Yabani armut, Fru Eaten fresh; jam is made 0.10 caucasica (Fed.) Browicz RP-42 miroy 59 Rosa canina L. RP-25 Kuburnu, ilan Flo As herbal tea; jam is made; 0.51 syrup is prepared 60 Rubus sanctus Schreber RP-29 Böğürtlen, dirik Fru Eaten fresh; jam is made 0.44 61 Ulmaceae Celtis tournefortii Lam. RP-158 Dardağan Fru Eaten fresh 0.20 62 Urticaceae Urtica dioica L. RP-1 Isırgan Lea As herbal tea; cooked as a 0.53 stew or egg-vegetable dish ªPlant part(s) used: Aer, aerial parts; Bra, branches; Flo, flowers; Fru, fruits; Lea, leaves; Roo, roots; See, seeds; Ste, stems; Tub, tubers.

on the food use of brevipes. Anthemis wiedemanniana Fisch. & Mey., was reported to be an endemic and rare plant17. Anthemis wiedemanniana Fisch. & Mey., Crocus leichtlinii (D. Dewar) Bowles, Iris sari Schott ex Baker, Scorzonera semicana DC., Thymus haussknechtii Velen. were found to be the endemic plants in Elazığ.

Data analysis Literate people in the study area were found to be less knowledgeable on the used of food plants as compared to illiterate ones due to the higher level Fig. 2—Most representative families exposure of the former to modernization. var. tournefortii, Scorzonera semicana, Capsella According to the calculation made on the basis of bursa-pastoris, Chenopodium album, Ononis spinosa the use-value UV11 Rhus coriaria L. (0,57), Urtica subsp. leiosperma, Mentha longifolia subsp. typhoides dioica L. (0,53), Amygdalus communis L. (0,52), var. typhoides, Eremurus spectabilis, Malva neglecta, Thymus haussknechtii Velen. (0,52), Rosa canina L. Papaver rhoeas, Polygonum cognatum, Rheum ribes, (0,51), Mentha longifolia (L.) Hudson (0.48), Portulaca oleracea, Urtica dioica). Allium ampeloprasum L. (0.46), Rubus sanctus Although consumption of Achillea millefolium L. Schreber (0.44), Malva neglecta Wallr. (0.43), as food has not been reported, it has been found that it Portulaca oleracea L. (0.41), Thymus kotschyanus is used in feeding animals13. Boiss. & Hohen. (0.41), Juglans regia L. (0.40), Morus nigra L. (0.39), and Rheum ribes L. (0.38) We record Achillea millefolium L., Agropyron were reported to be of the highest use value (Table 1). repens (L.) P. Beauv., Fumaria officinalis L., Sideritis As calculated by the use-value UV18 Salvia montana L. subsp. montana, Teucrium polium L., tomentosa Mill. (0.68), Hypericum perforatum L. Trifolium pratense L. var. pratense, and endemic (0.66), Allium sativum L. (0.66), Origanum onites L. Anthemis wiedemanniana Fisch. & Mey., Crocus and Origanum vulgare L. (0.65), Tilia argentea DC. leichtlinii (D. Dewar) Bowles, and Iris sari Schott ex (0.65), Lavandula stoechas sp. stoechas (0.58), Rosa Baker as being used for food purposes, which we canina L. (0.52), Cistus sp. (0.50), and Anthemis sp. found out during the interviews in the present study. (0.46), Teucrium polium L. (0.44) were reported to be There is no detailed information within the literature of the highest use value. POLAT et al.: SURVEY OF WILD FOOD PLANTS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN ELAZIG, TURKEY 75

Conclusion 3 Bağcı Y, Ethnobotanical features of Aladağlar (Yahyalı, In the study being conducted, use of wild plants Kayseri) and its vicinity, Herb J Syst Bot, 7 (1) (2000) 89–94. 4 Polat R, Çakılcıoğlu U, Ertuğ F & Satıl F, An evaluation of as food points out interest of people in Elazığ in wild ethnobotanical studies in Eastern Anatolia, Biol Divers plants. Within the scope of this study, edible Conserv, 5 (2012) 23–40. 28 families and 62 plant taxa have been determined. 5 Arslan N, Doğal ekonomik bitkilerin korunması, Tarım Köy Five of those plants are endemic. Used parts, Dergisi, 74 (1992)17–9. preparation and use of those plants are recorded. 6 Filipovic M, Acorn in the nutrition of people from the Balkans, Bulletin for people’s life and tradition in the Southern Slavic In case of food use of those plants, it is found out people (Zir u ishrani balkanskih naroda, Zbornik za narodni that they are either used in cooking or consumed zivot i obicaje juznih Slavena), 37 (1953) 17–38. without cooking. 7 Redzic S, Wild edible plants and their traditional use in the In the study, it is observed that uses of some of human nutrition in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ecol Food Nutr, wild food plants used are as indicated in literature 45(2006)189–232. 8 engün MT, The effect of Keban Dam Lake to Elazığ while some of them are new records. In literature climate under the last valuations light, Fırat Univ J Res East research, there were no findings that 9 of those taxa Anatol Reg, 5 (2007)116–121. are used as food plant. 9 Davis PH, Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Vol. Although ethnobotanical studies are conducted in 1–9, (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press), 1965–1985. our country, it is not yet known that many wild plants 10 Ekim T, Koyuncu M, Vural M, Duman H, Aytaç Z & Adıgüzel N, Red Data Book of Turkish Plants (Pteridophyta are consumed as medicinal or edible plants. Our and Spermatophyta), Turkish Association for the Conservation cultural heritage, traditional uses of those plants, of Nature, Ankara, 2000. is not recorded by ethnobotanical studies. It is tried to 11 Trotter RT & Logan MH, Informant consensus: a new generate a source for persons studying in ethnobotany, approach for identifying potentially effective medicinal food, pharmacology and chemistry sciences by comparing plants, In: Plants in Indigenous Medicine and Diet, Behavioural Approaches, edited by Etkin N L, (Redgrave knowledge gained from traditionally used herbs with Publishing Company, Bredford Hills, New York), 1986. previous laboratory studies. 12 Lentini F & Venza F, Wild food plants of popular use in In terms of the safety of nutrition, people should be Sicily, J Ethnobiol Ethnomed, 3 (2007) 15. warned that these plants contain toxic elements and 13 Yücel E & Tunay M, Nazilli (Aydın) ve yöresinde gıda unconscious consumption may cause many diseases. olarak kullanılan yabancı otlar, Türkiye Herb Der, 5(2) (2002)10–7. Therefore, more scientific studies on this subject must 14 Baytop T, Therapy With Medicinal Plants in Turkey be conducted and legal arrangements should be done. (Past and Present). Nobel Medicine Publication, 2nd edn, Instead of random collection from nature, these plants Istanbul, 1999, 118–9. should be produced through genetic improvements 15 Polat R, Cakilcioglu U & Satıl F, Traditional uses of medicinal and cultivation, processed; it is necessary to ensure plants in Solhan (Bingöl-Turkey), J Ethnopharmacol, 148 (2013) 951–63. the yield of high quality and safe crops. 16 Tetik F, Civelek S & Cakilcioglu U, Traditional uses of some medicinal plants in Malatya (Turkey), J Ethnopharmacol, References 146 (2013) 331–46. 1 Kargıoğlu M, Cenkci S, Serteser A, Evliyaoğlu N, Konuk M, 17 Akçiçek E & Vural M, Local names and ethnobotanical Kök M & Bağcı Y, An ethnobotanical survey of inner-West features of some plants in Kumalar Mountain (Afyon) and its Anatolia, Turkey, Human Ecol, 36 (2008) 763–77. vicinity, Herb J Syst Bot, 10 (2003)151–62. 2 Muthu C, Ayyanar M, Raja N & Ignacimuthu S, Medicinal 18 Polat R & Satıl F. An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Kancheepuram district of plants in Edremit Gulf (Balıkesir-Turkey), J Ethnopharmacol, Tamil Nadu, , J Ethnobiol Ethnomed, 2 (2006) 43. 139 (2011) 626–41.