07.12.2025 23:40
In the Akseki district of Antalya, in a forested area located in the interior of the Taurus Mountains, wild hawthorn trees that were grafted by an unknown benefactor 25-30 years ago are still bearing fruit today. The fruits, known as "Beşbıyık" by the local people, are collected as a natural source of healing and sold in the market for between 100 and 150 lira.
In the Akseki district of Antalya, in the forested area of the Taurus Mountains, the grafts made on wild hawthorn trees by an unknown benefactor 25-30 years ago are still bearing fruit today.
KNOWN AS "BEŞBIYIK," IT FINDS BUYERS BETWEEN 100 AND 150 TL
These fruits, known as medlar or new world in the public, and referred to as "Beşbıyık" by the local people, are collected as a natural source of healing and are sold in the Akseki market for between 100 and 150 lira.
Fatma Kara, who went mushroom picking in the high parts of the Taurus Mountains with her husband Mehmet Kara, said they were surprised to see hawthorn on the wild hawthorn tree and other fruits instead.
NOBODY KNOWS IF HE IS ALIVE OR DEAD
Kara said, "While walking in the mountains, we looked and stumbled upon it by chance. We collected it while wondering what it was. There is no exhaust smoke in the high places of the Taurus. There is no fertilizer. No cars, no people have seen it. It’s not a vineyard or a garden, just a mountain we know. We saw 30-40 more grafted fruits in the forested area. When we researched, they told us that a benefactor had grafted it years ago in the region. Nobody knows where the grafter is. Nobody knows if he is alive or dead. May God bless him, if he has passed away, may his place be paradise," she said.
A "NATURAL AND HEALING MOUNTAIN FRUIT"
Kara, who stated that there are many grafted trees, noted that there are also nomads and shepherds living in the area. She continued, "It is clear that someone grafted it for people to benefit. Now they are bringing it to the market, and we collected it too. We tasted it, it’s very nice. We were emotional, I wish everyone would make such a tree and come to pick it."
"THE BENEFACTOR WHOSE TRACE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND"
The local people stated that the fruits have been growing in the inner parts of the mountain without being seen by anyone for years, and they still do not know who that benefactor is, but he has managed to receive everyone's prayers.