Re: Collecting seeds from the wild (Fran Gustman)

**M* U* <m*@kos.net>**

    One last thing on wildflower seeds.  Certain of them have really
specialized germinating requirements and an eco-balance, which are provided
by Mother Nature in the wild.

    For example, picking Trillium flowers can seriously injure the plant.
The three leaves below the flower are the plant's only food source and a
picked trillium may die or take many years to recover. For this reason in
many area of the United States and Canada, it is illegal to pick Trilliums.

    In addition, Trillium is difficult to start from seed.  It is one of
many plants whose seeds are spread by ants and mice. Trillium seeds have a
fleshy organ called an elaiosome that attracts ants. The ants take the seeds
to their nest, where they eat the elaiosomes and put the seeds in their
"garbage", where they can be protected until they germinate. They also get
the added bonus of growing in a medium made richer by the ant garbage.

    Disturbing Trillium plants, even to harvest seed, is not at all
recommended.

Mayo  

> Thank you. You have all been very helpful. I had seen an advertisement in
> which the seeds were promoted as from the wild and the plants being sold
> were raised from those seeds. I think the next thing is to ask directly
> where and how the seeds were obtained.
> 
> Fran
> 
>>> It is a violation for any person, anywhere in the State, to pick,
>>> pluck, sever, remove, damage by the application of herbicides or
>>> defoliants, or carry away, without the consent of the owner, any
>>> protected plant. Each protected plant so picked, plucked, severed,
>>> removed, damaged or carried away shall constitute a separate
>>> violation.  http://www.dec.ny.gov/regs/15522.html
>> Best wishes,
>> 
>> Carol Bradford
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
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