Native Plants

Collecting Native Plants on the Deschutes National Forest

• Collecting Native Plants

  

  Many people are discovering Central Oregon’s native plants and bringing them home into their landscapes. With this increase in popularity, comes the risk of harming plant communities and the many wildlife species that depend on them. Please follow the permit conditions to protect plant populations and minimize negative impacts to the ecosystems in your National Forest.

  Download Brochure

Native Plant Species

Check out the lists below for popular native plant species in Central Oregon. Only the plants listed in our "Collecting Native Plants" brochure are allowed for collection on the Deschutes National Forest.

Forbs

Grasses

Shrubs

Permit Conditions

Native plant collection permits can be obtained at local Forest Service offices. Most Forest Service offices are operating through virtual or limited services. Please call ahead to verify if the office you're interested in visiting is open and issuing permits.

• Permits are required to collect native plants. There are three types of permits available: free use, personal use and commerical use.
  • Free-Use Permits authorize collection of 16 plants, 4 of which can be trees for free. Material collected using a free-use permit cannot be resold or bartered. Permits are valid for three months.
  • Personal-Use Permits authorize the colelction of larger amounts of plants for a $20 minimum charge. Quantities will be detailed on your permit.
  • Commercial-Use Permits authorize businesses to collect plants for resale.
• Only the plants listed in our "Collecting Native Plants" brochure are allowed for collection. The brochure is required to be present while collecting plants.
• Follow the "1 in 20" rule. Colelct only one plant for every 20 plants of that species in an area. If there aren't 20 plants present, find a new location.
• Tree seedlings need to be less than 4 feet in height and shrubs need to be less than 2 feet in height for transplanting.
• Keep your vehicle on established roads. The current Motor Vehicle Use Maps must be followed.  These maps are available to be downloaded for free here. These maps can also be downloaded onto your electronic devices with the PDF Maps app available from Avenza.com.
• Collect out of sight from trails. Fill in holes. Restore your collection area so it appears undisturbed.
• The collection of native plants is prohibited in the following locations:
  • Newberry National Volcanic Monument
  • Campgrounds
  • Recreation areas
  • Wilderness areas & Wilderness study areas
  • Wild and Scenic River corridors
  • Research natural areas
  • Tree plantations
  • Experimental forests
  • River canyons, rimrock, and cliff features
  • Fenced exclosures that are part of restoration projects
  • Within 300 feet of lakes, stream and other wetlands
  • Within 100 feet of springs, wet meadows, floodplains, paved and gravel roads
• All species of the following plants are protected under Oregon State Law and are prohibited from collection: lilies – including camas, mariposa lilies, fawn lilies, 3 and 6 petal lilies; orchids – including lady slippers, bitterroot and primroses.  All Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species are prohibited from collection. 
• Aspen is not available for collection.
• Plants obtained under this free use program cannot be sold or exchanged (36 CFR 261.6(f)).
• Know Before You Go and be sure to check for any current fire restrictions.

Best Management/Harvest Practices

Please follow practices to protect native plants and mushroom populations and minimize negative impacts to the ecosystems in your National Forest.