The ethnobotanical properties of some villages of Karkamis and Oguzeli (Gaziantep)

This study was conducted to reveal the ethnobotanical usage characteristics of a total of 20 villages of Karkamış and Oğuzeli districts within the borders of Gaziantep province between 2021-2023. Local names, purpose of use, part of use and usage patterns of 140 taxa belonging to 48 families were determined by interviewing 144 participants among the local people living in the research area. According to the distribution of these plant species according to families, the first five families are as follows: Asteraceae (27 taxa), Lamiaceae (13 taxa), Brassicaceae (8 taxa), Apiaceae (7 taxa), Fabaceae (7 taxa). It was determined that 92 taxa were used for medicinal purposes, 75 for food, 26 for goods, 20 for fodder, 16 for fuel, 12 for toys, 7 for ornament, 7 for protection, 7 for cosmetics, 6 for aroma, 5 for evil eye and abundance, 5 for animal husbandry, and 2 for dyestuff. Rhus coriaria, Echinophora tenuifolia subsp. sibthorpiana, Gundelia tournefortii subsp. tournefortii, Silybum marianum, Tragopogon pterocarpus, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Mentha longifolia subsp typhoides, Sideritis libanotica subsp. microchlamys, Thymbra spicata subsp. spicata, Teucrium polium subsp. polium, Malva neglecta, Malva sylvestris, Portulaca oleracea, Urtica dioica subsp. diocia taxa are the most frequently used plants by local people. In the study area, the unique usage patterns of 35 taxa belonging to the region and ethnobotanical information about 9 taxa are given for the first time. Key Words: Ethnobotanical, Gaziantep, Karkamış, Oğuzeli, Turkey