Re: Weed killing / wildflower questions

> Where do you find information on what is allowed as far as collecting
> plants is concerned?

The first thing that you should do is find out if there are any 
restrictions on the land that you're collecting from.  If it's 
privately held land, see if the owner gives you permission. 

The next step is to research any state or federal legislation on
plants in your area.  Your state's natural resources department
should be able to help you out there.

Finally, you should try and identify the plant that you're moving.
This may be a requirement for step #2, as well.  Use a field guide
to help you identify unknowns -- I prefer "Newcomb's Wildflower Guide"
by Lawrence Newcomb.  It's easy to use and only requires you to know
the number of flower petals, how the leaves are arranged, and the
approximate leaf shape.  VERY easy for the beginner with no dichotomous
keys to work through.

If the plant's collection isn't restricted by law, you have your own
morality to judge by.  Is the plant covering an entire field?  If so,
it's probably ok to collect.  Is it just one of three plants in a
field?  If so, you could be disrupting the distribution of this
species by collecting one.  You will most certainly be disrupting
the gene pool.  Other factors to consider -- is everyone coming out
to collect one?  Will they come out once they see yours? 

There is an EXCELLENT book by Nina T. Marshall called "The Gardener's
Guide to Plant Conservation," published by the World Wildlife Fund.  I
encourage all propagators and consumers interested in plant conservation
to read it.  It discusses the above steps in far more detail with more
convincing arguments.  It also lists a listing of species that are
endangered, etc. for all states.

Chris
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