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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 23Ch. 3§ 80073 Protected Native Plant Harvesting

§ 80073 Protected Native Plant Harvesting

Food and Agricultural Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 80073 Protected Native Plant Harvesting

Key Takeaways

  • •You can't pick or cut certain desert plants (like cacti, yuccas, or mesquite trees) unless you have a special permit from the government or the local sheriff.
  • •You can pick the fruit from these plants without a permit.
  • •There are special rules for desert ironwood trees—you might need a permit even if the tree is dead, and the government can limit how much you take.
  • •The government can change the rules about desert ironwood trees if they need to.

Example

You're hiking in the desert and see a big, cool cactus. You want to take a piece home to plant in your yard.

You can't just take the cactus—you need a permit first. If you take it without one, you could get in trouble. But if you just pick some fruit from the cactus (like prickly pear fruit), that's okay.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 80073 Protected Native Plant Harvesting

The following native plants, or any part thereof, may not be harvested except under a permit issued by the commissioner or the sheriff of the county in which the native plants are growing: (a) All species of the family Agavaceae (century plants, nolinas, yuccas). (b) All species of the family Cactaceae (cacti), except for the plants listed in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 80072 which may be harvested under a permit obtained pursuant to that section. (c) All species of the family Fouquieriaceae (ocotillo, candlewood). (d) All species of the genus Prosopis (mesquites). (e) All species of the genus Cercidium (palos verdes). (f) Acacia greggii (catclaw). (g) Atriplex hymenelytra (desert-holly). (h) Dalea spinosa (smoke tree). (i) Olneya tesota (desert ironwood), including both dead and live desert ironwood. The fruit from the native plants listed in this section may be harvested without a permit. The commissioner may establish limits on the quantity of desert ironwood which may be taken under any permit and on the number of permits for the taking of desert ironwood which may be issued. The commissioner may adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the protection of the ironwood resource. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the director may add desert ironwood to, or remove it from, the jurisdiction of this division pursuant to Section 80074. (Added by renumbering Section 70632 by Stats. 1984, Ch. 144, Sec. 65.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

commissionregulationdirectorin californiaquantityprotectionjurisdiction

Related Statutes

  • § 65661 Table Grape Referendum Rules
  • § 10386 Cattle Movement In Brucellosis Areas
  • § 25125 Mark Design Regulations
  • § 481 Interstate Pest Control Cooperation
  • § 482 Cooperative Agreements Authority

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 80073.
View Official Source