Survey of wild food plants for human consumption in Karaisalı (Adana-Turkey)

This study identified not only the wild plants collected for food purposes by local people of Karaisalı County in the Mediterranean Region, but also the uses and local names of these plants. Field study was carried out over a period of approximately 2 years (2008–2010). During this period, 76 vascular plant specimens were collected. Demographic characteristics of participants, vernacular plant names, edible parts and utilization methods of the plants were investigated and recorded. In the scope of the study, the plant species were collected; herbarium materials were prepared; and the specimens were entitled. In addition, the use-value of the species was determined and was calculated for the food plants included in the study. A total of 76 food plants belonging to 30 families were identified in the region. The most common families are: Asteraceae (12 plants), Lamiaceae (10 plants), Rosaceae (9 plants), Polygonaceae (5 plants), Apiaceae (4 plants). The study showed that the plants used are either eaten raw or ripe, cooked as vegetable dish, consumed as jam, consumed as coffee, as spice, frying in oil or baked to be served as dishes such as stew, pie made by roasting the leaves, prepared sour souce is added to food. During this ethnobotanical research, it was verified that wild edible plants play an important role in diet in Karaisalı. We examined whether the plants used had literature records or not. Varied usages of a number of plants have been recorded for the first time by us. Tree of those plant are endemic. The plant flora of Karaisalı 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.