571—78.11 (456A) Restrictions and prohibitions for harvesting wild ginseng.
	 78.11(1) Every person shall have in possession a valid, department-issued permit to harvest wild ginseng for the current harvest season when harvesting, cutting, uprooting, gathering, destroying, possessing or transporting wild ginseng.
	 78.11(2) No person shall harvest a plant unless the plant possesses three or more true leaves or prongs and a flowering or fruiting stalk with red berries. If, after a person removes a plant from the soil with the requisite leaves or prongs, it is determined the root has less than five stem scars, the person shall return the plant to the soil at the same location and make best efforts to return the plant and the surrounding area to their condition prior to harvest of the plant. In no event shall a person harvest or possess a wild ginseng root unless the root has at least five stem scars.
	 78.11(3) When a person harvests wild ginseng, the entire plant, except the fruit and seeds, shall be retained with the plant until the plant is taken to the harvester’s residence or place of business, as identified in the harvester’s permit.
[ARC 7680B, IAB 4/8/09, effective 4/1/09]