Saw palmetto berries, a popular herbal supplement often used to treat prostate and urinary problems, are officially in season, but picking them from nature willy-nilly could land you in prison.
Saw palmetto berries are a lucrative crop that grows naturally throughout Florida’s wild pinelands, and are harvested not for eating but for their medicinal properties.
Unlawful harvesting of the berries without a valid permit or permission is a felony, and has led to various arrests across the Treasure Coast.
Is it illegal to pick saw palmetto berries?
A state law criminalizes saw palmetto berry harvesting without a permit as a felony and increases the penalty for unlawfully possessing the sought-after dietary supplement ingredient.
What are possible penalties for harvesting saw palmetto berries without a permit?
Carrying penalties such as a potential five-year prison sentence, the law created guidelines for the harvest and sale of the berries, so without a valid permit and permission from the landowner, the harvest, purchase, transportation, or processing of the berries is illegal.
How to get a permit for saw palmetto harvesting in Florida
To obtain a Native Endangered Commercially Exploited (NECE) Harvesting Permit from Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, you can:
How much do saw palmetto berries cost?
The fruit’s price can range up to $8 per pound, depending on demand and seasonal availability. But after processing, the product is sold for almost 16 times the original cost, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
When is saw palmetto berry season in Florida?
The saw palmetto berry harvesting season typically spans from late August to early October.
Contributing: Jack Randall, Treasure Coast Newspapers
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Saw palmetto berry Florida permit can save you from jail. How to apply
Reporting by Ashley Ferrer, Olivia Franklin and Laurie K. Blandford, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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By Ashley Ferrer, Olivia Franklin and Laurie K. Blandford, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
