A New Plant Species Discovered in the Vicinity of Dereköy, Karaman, Adds to the Scientific World’s Knowledge

During a nature walk in the vicinity of Dereköy in Karaman, a new plant species was accidentally discovered and subsequently introduced to the scientific community.

Gülşen Kavas, who runs an organic farming business in Karaman, noticed an unusual plant while collecting mushrooms about two years ago. She sent photographs of the plant to Asst. Prof. Dr. Ömer Çeçen, a faculty member in the Department of Biology at Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University’s Kamil Özdağ Faculty of Science. After thorough comparative studies, it was determined that this new species significantly differs from its close relative, Biarum rifatii, particularly in terms of its floral organs.

Named "Karaman Snake Arum" in Turkish, this new species has officially entered the scientific literature under the name Biarum gulsenianum. The description and scientific study of this new species were published in the latest issue of Annales Botanici Fennici, a prestigious international journal in the field of taxonomic botany, announcing it to the global scientific community.

This discovery represents a tangible example of the ongoing work of Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University’s faculty members focused on nature and biodiversity. It makes a significant contribution to the conservation and promotion of Karaman’s rich flora.