Seed Collecting Ethics

Adapted from the Indiana Native Plant Society

Before you get started.

  • It is very important that we protect our native plant species, and not overharvest them or bring invasive species to those locations. In our zeal to grow native plants from seed, we must not damage the population and other wildlife that depend on them.
Identify the species.
  • It is critical that you properly identify the plant species before collecting seeds. The best time to identify most plants is while they are in bloom.
  • Confirm that you’re harvesting the seed of a particular species will not harm the long-term viability of a plant population in its native habitat. Be sure the target plant is not listed as rare, endangered, or threatened.
  • The Biota of North America Program (BONAP) is a good place to see if a plant is rare in the state. For Ohio, the official list is found on the DNR website. https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/rare-plants
Collect at the right time.
  • This is crucial to ensure successful germination. Know the time of year that the seed should be ready, what the seed looks like when mature, and whether the seed pod or capsule dehisces (opens and expels), etc.
  • It may take three or more trips to time the collecting right. For fruits, they must be ripe or past ripe. For pods, they should be dry on the stalk. For fluffy seeds that blow away or explode (dehiscence) or fall away into the gravel when a breeze comes along, you ought collect them before they’re gone and dry them out at home. The weather should be dry and warm and the fruits ready and abundant.
Observe the 5% rule.
  • The 20 RULE: for every 20 seeds, take just one (5%). There must be at least 20 plants in a population.
  • Even if wild collecting on your own property, collect no more than 5% of wild (as opposed to garden collected) seeds from an individual plant and 5% of the whole population.
  • If collecting in a garden or prairie planting, consider the importance of letting some of the seed fall. This is especially important in prairie plantings, for they depend not only on the living plants but also on the “seed rain” that ripens and falls to the ground each year. Over-harvesting may disrupt the seed rain and over time impact the overall vitality of a natural space.
Not your land?
  • If the plant is not on your land, make sure you have permission before collecting any native seed. Also, it is NOT PERMITTED to collect in national or state parks or in conservation lands. If collecting wild seed along roadways, remember that all property has an owner, even roadsides and places we think are vacant, and it is our responsibility to always make sure we know who the owners are and always get permission.
Be vigilant and avoid “hitchhikers.”
  • Remember to brush off the soles of your shoes before entering a harvesting location to avoid tracking in unwanted seeds. If driving in, consider hosing down your vehicle and tires if you have previously driven off-road in other natural areas.