When the first warm rays of sunshine hit the forest floor and the first green of the year appears, the delicious wild garlic grows again. But is it even allowed to pick it or is collecting it forbidden because wild garlic is protected? We'll clarify.
Is wild garlic protected?
Wild garlic isnot protected under nature protection, i.e. H. Forest garlic isnot a protected species and can therefore also be picked growing wild. By the way, the plant is neither on the red list nor is it only protected in certain federal states.
So is it allowed to collect wild garlic everywhere?
The fact that wild garlic is not protected does not mean that you can pick the plant anywhere and at any time. In designated nature reservescollecting even species that are not officially protected isstrictly prohibited and violations can result in a hefty fine of several thousand euros.
The reason lies in the special legal status of the nature reserves, which you can recognize by the labeling: signs with an owl on a yellow background or a sea eagle on a green background indicate the existence of a nature reserve. Not only do you have to leave all your plants here, there are other rules that apply.
So are you allowed to collect as much wild garlic as you want?
In addition, all plants and animals - including wild garlic - fall under theFederal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG), even if they themselves are not separately protected. What this means for you is that
- You can only take wild garlic from nature in small quantities
- picking must be done gently and sustainably
- Wild plants must not be dug up or plucked out
- Wild plants must not be trampled
- Wild animals must not be disturbed
A small amount is generally considered to be abouta hand bouquet full of wild garlic leaves, you shouldn't actually take much more than that.
What else should you pay attention to when picking wild garlic?
With regard to careful removal, you should make sure to only pickone to a maximum of two leaves per plant and leave the entire crop standing. This especially applies to the roots of the wild garlic: These should not be damaged so that the wild garlic can sprout again every year. For this reason it is also important to dig up plants - for example to replant them in your own garden
not allowed. In this way, the wild population would shrink every year, so that one day wild garlic would actually have to be protected
Tip
Is wild garlic on the red list?
The Red List contains animal and plant species that are endangered and therefore require special attention. There is a tiered division. However, contrary to what is often claimed to the contrary, wild garlic (Allium ursinum) cannot be found on the official lists of the Red List Center and is therefore not on any of them. Quite the opposite: the species is considered widespread and forms large populations.
