Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Saturday - May 11, 2013

From: Vilonia, AR
Region: Southeast
Topic: Wildflowers
Title: Illegal to pick roadside wildflowers from Vilonia AR
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Is it illegal to pick roadside wildflowers in Arkansas?

ANSWER:

Every year about this time we get not one but several questions on this subjects, from all over North America. Because "wildflower" is in our name, everyone is sure we are the ultimate decision makers. Wrong. State roadsides are the province of the state highway departments and if any of them have such laws on their books they are not sharing them online. You might try contacting your own Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department. From that site, we found a link to this site; AHTD Wildflower Program.

Other sources for information on this question:

Previous Mr. Smarty Plants question Picking roadside flowers

U. S. Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers Ethics and Native Plants

Houston Chronicle It's Perfectly Legal to Pick Wildflowers

 

More Wildflowers Questions

Smarty Plants wildflower gardens
January 08, 2004 - I want to plant a wildflower garden but I live in NC And I want My garden to be in bloom all year what types of wildflowers will stay in bloom all year and do I have to import them?
view the full question and answer

More on bluebonnets
April 19, 2007 - I am a displaced Austinite - As of last week now living in upstate New York (Binghamton). As I was leaving town - a friend presented me with a pound bag of bluebonnet seeds. A thoughtful gift - but I...
view the full question and answer

Bluebonnets in memorial garden in cemetery
April 11, 2008 - When is the peak time to scatter bluebonnet seeds? I have a loved one that recently died, and she requested that her body be cremated. She would like her ashes to be mixed with bluebonnet seeds and ...
view the full question and answer

Flowers for sandy loam and sun in Fayette Co., Texas
May 15, 2007 - Hi I am looking to know what the best flowers are to plant in sandy loam and no shade?
view the full question and answer

Visiting Texas for bluebonnets
December 29, 2004 - I know rainfall amounts in the winter affect the blooming of bluebonnets in the spring. I am thinking about visiting Texas this spring. What should I be looking for in rainfall amounts? I will watch...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.