§ 45.69. Vulnerable plant harvest seasons and conditions.

 (a)  A person may not harvest ginseng except in compliance with applicable law, this chapter and the following restrictions:

   (1)  A person may harvest ginseng plants only from August 1 through November 30.

   (2)  Only mature ginseng plants with at least three leaves of five leaflets each may be harvested and only when the seeds are red.

   (3)  Persons harvesting ginseng plants shall plant the seeds from the plants in the immediate vicinity of the collection site.

 (b)  A person may not possess harvested, green ginseng roots between April 1 and August 1 of a calendar year.

 (c)  A person may not harvest Pennsylvania Vulnerable plants other than ginseng except in compliance with applicable law, this chapter and the following restrictions:

   (1)  A person may harvest the plants only if they are mature and the current year’s seeds have matured.

   (2)  A person harvesting the plants shall plant the seeds from the plants in the immediate vicinity of the collection site.

   (3)  A person may not harvest the plants in a way that will harm the species’ ability to perpetuate itself successfully.

 (d)  The permitted harvesting of Pennsylvania Vulnerable plants includes picking, taking, digging, disturbing and possessing the plants if the activities are necessary to legally harvest the plants. Possession of legally taken Pennsylvania Vulnerable plants is permitted.