Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants in Ulukışla (Niğde-Turkey)

Abstract

This study aimed to identify wild plants collected for medicinal purposes by the local people of Ulukışla County, located in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey and to establish the uses and local names of these plants.A field study was carried out over a period of approximately 2 years (2002–2003). During this period, 59 vascular plant specimens were collected. Demographic characteristics of participants, local plant names, plant parts used and preparation methods of the plants were investigated and recorded. Within the scope of the study, the plant species were collected; herbarium materials were prepared; and the plant specimens were named. In addition, the relative importance value of the species was determined and was calculated for the medicinal plants included in the study.A total of 59 medical plants belonging to 27 families were identified in the region. The most common families were Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae and Apiaceae.This study identified not only the wild plants collected for medical purposes by local people of Ulukışla County in the Central Anatolia Region, but also the uses and local names of these plants. Comparison of the data obtained in this study from the plants growing in Ulukışla with the experimental data obtained in previous laboratory studies showed mostly the same ethnobotanical usages. The plant flora of Ulukışla is threatened by such factors as grazing, expansion of new agricultural lands, and unsustainable picking of plants to generate income. Steps should be taken immediately to ensure the inclusion of relevant flora within conservation designations.