Ethnobotanical properties of Beytüşşebap and its surroundings (Şırnak)

This study was conducted to reveal the ethnobotanical characteristics of plants used by the local population for various purposes in Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak Province and its surrounding areas, to document traditional knowledge related to plant use, and to contribute to the preservation of this knowledge within the scope of biocultural heritage. The research area is located in the Iran–Turan phytogeographical region and possesses a rich floristic and ethnobotanical potential due to its diverse topography and ecological conditions. During the field studies, face-to-face and semi-structured interviews (questionnaires) were carried out with local inhabitants, and information on local plant names, parts used, preparation methods, and usage forms was recorded. As a result of the study, a total of 105 plant taxa belonging to 47 families were identified as being used for ethnobotanical purposes in Beytüşşebap and its vicinity. The five most represented families in terms of taxon number were Asteraceae (18), Apiaceae (13), Rosaceae (8), Lamiaceae (5), and Amaryllidaceae (4). Analysis of the usage purposes showed that medicinal and food uses were dominant, and these two uses were often combined for many taxa. According to the obtained data, 70 taxa were used for medicinal/therapeutic purposes, 57 for food, 7 for agricultural and livestock-related purposes, 7 as ornamental plants, and 4 for handicrafts and dyeing. The findings indicate that preventive and therapeutic practices are more strongly adopted within the context of folk medicine. In conclusion, this study provides the first comprehensive documentation of the ethnobotanical uses of plants in Beytüşşebap and its surroundings, contributes to the preservation of traditional knowledge heritage in the region, and establishes a scientific basis for future floristic, pharmacological, and conservation-oriented studies.