Collecting seed

Chris's recent post on collecting seeds from a wild plot raised a garden
etiquette question that I've never had satisfactorily answered -  
Perhaps all you experienced gardeners can help.

When is collecting seed from gardens other than your own allowed?  For
instance - I'm walking along and see seed pods from a columbine, or a
dried rudbeckia head, or whatever, and I'd love a few . . . . Do I
simply shake the pod into my hand and keep walking?  Do I ask the
property owner (in my neck of the woods we have a lot of farmland and
large vacant areas of land)?  What about more formal gardens - perhaps
an arboretum or Botanical garden?   

One side of me says I'm not taking anything away from the plant (like
cutting a rose or taking other blooms), and another part of me says it's
still stealing, and I should ask first.

What do you think -and what have you experienced?

Pat
pattm@execpc.com
SE Wisconsin
The pink yarrow is in full bloom and soooooooooo pretty!

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