Anyone who picks flowers along the way is moving into forbidden territory faster than expected. Numerous wild species are under special protection, and the fines vary greatly depending on the federal state.
What the hand bouquet rule allows and what its limits are
In principle, wild flowers in Germany may be picked in small quantities for personal use. This so-called hand ostrich rule is anchored in Section 39 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act. As the Nature Conservation Association of Germany (NABU) explains on its information page, the permitted size is a hand bouquet, i.e. as much as you can hold in one hand between your thumb and forefinger. The prerequisite is that the plants do not belong to the specially protected species and are not in a nature reserve or national park. There is a general ban on picking there.
The hand ostrich rule does not apply to specially protected species according to the Federal Species Protection Ordinance. According to NABU, these plants may not be cut off, picked off or dug up in whole or in part. The list of protected species is extensive and includes, among others, snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils, arnica, squill, monkshood, irises, pasque flowers, all wild orchids, wild tulips as well as all types of carnations and gentians.
Why spring bloomers in particular are protected
The special protection of many spring bloomers has an ecological background. Corinna Hölzel from the Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation Germany (BUND) told the German Press Agency that spring bloomers are usually all protected so that bumblebees and wild bees that hatch early can find enough pollen and nectar. Especially in the first warm weeks of the year, the early flowering plants are an indispensable source of food for pollinating insects.
NABU also points out that many mushrooms are also protected species. However, there are exceptions: porcini mushrooms, chanterelles, birch mushrooms, red caps and morels may be collected in small quantities for your own needs. The removal of pussy willows as decorative twigs is prohibited in almost all federal states because they serve as an important food source for bees and other insects.
Fines vary greatly by state
Anyone who picks protected plants must expect severe penalties. As can be seen from the catalog of environmental fines from bussgeldkatalog.org, the fines vary considerably depending on the federal state. In Rhineland-Palatinate, fines range from around 77 euros to over 10,000 euros. In Brandenburg the fines range between 50 and 5,000 euros. They are significantly higher in Bremen with up to 20,000 euros and in Hamburg with up to 50,000 euros. In Bavaria, Saarland and several other federal states, the minimum fine is 50 euros.
A complete list of plant species that are particularly protected in Germany and are not allowed to be collected is set out in the Federal Species Protection Ordinance and is publicly available on the website of the Federal Ministry of Justice.
Dominik Maier, editorial team at finanzen.net
