Foraging on the Trail
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The Do’s and Don’ts of Picking Wildflowers or Foraging on the Trail
It’s easy to feel tempted when you’re walking through the bush. A cluster of wildflowers in bloom. A plant you recognise from a field guide. Something edible-looking growing right beside the track.
But when it comes to picking wildflowers or foraging on the trail, good intentions don’t always line up with good outcomes. In most cases, the safest and most responsible option is simple: look, photograph, and leave it where it is.
Here’s what hikers should know before they reach out and pick.
Don’t Pick Wildflowers — Even If They’re Common
In New South Wales, picking wildflowers in national parks and reserves is not allowed. This applies whether the plant is rare, common, native, or introduced.
Even common-looking flowers:
- Provide food for insects and birds
- Contribute to seed cycles
- Help stabilise soil
Once picked, they’re removed from that system entirely.
What feels like a small action can add up quickly when hundreds of people walk the same trail.
Do Understand That “Just One” Adds Up
It’s easy to justify picking a single flower — especially if the area looks full of them. But every damaged plant reduces the area’s ability to regenerate.
When many people make the same decision:
- Flower displays thin out
- Seed production drops
- Pollinators lose food sources
That’s how once-colourful trails become noticeably bare.
Don’t Assume Foraging Is Allowed
Foraging laws vary by location, but in NSW national parks, removing plants, fungi, seeds, or any natural material is generally prohibited.
That includes:
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Berries
- Mushrooms
- Bark or seed pods
Even if a plant is edible or traditionally used elsewhere, that doesn’t mean it’s legal — or sustainable — to take it from a protected area.
Do Remember That Identification Isn’t Enough
Even confident plant identification doesn’t make foraging safe or appropriate.
Many plants:
- Look similar to toxic species
- Are edible only at certain stages
- Accumulate toxins from soil
And even correct identification doesn’t override park rules or ecological impact.
Don’t Pick for Photos or Souvenirs
Wildflowers don’t last long once picked. They wilt, dry out, and end up discarded — often within hours.
If you want to remember a plant:
- Take photos
- Make a sketch
- Note the location and season
Those memories last longer than a flower in a pocket.
Do Teach Kids to Look, Not Collect
Kids are naturally curious, and flowers are an easy target for grabbing hands. This is a great opportunity to set habits early.
Encourage kids to:
- Count flowers instead of picking them
- Photograph interesting plants
- Compare colours, shapes, or sizes
It turns curiosity into observation rather than removal.
Don’t Disturb Plants Just Off the Trail
Some people avoid picking by stepping off-track to reach plants “away from the trail.” That causes a different kind of damage.
Stepping off-track:
- Crushes surrounding vegetation
- Compacts soil
- Creates informal paths
Staying on the trail and leaving plants untouched is the better option.
Do Learn Through Observation Instead
If you’re interested in plants or bush foods, the trail is still a great classroom.
You can:
- Learn seasonal patterns
- Observe where certain plants thrive
- Notice relationships between flowers and insects
Field guides, guided walks, and cultural education programs are the right place to learn harvesting — not protected trails.
Don’t Remove “Natural” Items as Keepsakes
Wildflowers aren’t the only things people take. Leaves, seed pods, and bits of bark often end up in pockets too.
Leave No Trace principles apply to all natural materials. If everyone took something small, there would be nothing left before long.
Final Thoughts
Wildflowers and native plants are part of what makes a hike memorable. They belong exactly where they are — growing, seeding, feeding wildlife, and changing with the seasons.
The simplest rule is also the best one:
Take photos, take memories, and leave everything else behind.