Safety and access

A community map record tells you what someone reported. It does not certify the plant, its safety, current conditions or permission to collect it. You can map and observe plants without harvesting.

Establish identity independently

Do not eat a plant because of a map pin, photograph or broad common name. Use local field references and qualified local expertise to establish the species and relevant plant parts. University of Utah Poison Control's foraging guidance explains the risk of misidentification and the limits of identification apps.

Check access and local rules

Public visibility is not harvesting permission. Check property access, posted restrictions and the current land manager's rules. A contributor's finding note or an old access label cannot replace permission.

In Toronto, Municipal Code Chapter 608, section 608-6 prohibits removing or damaging park vegetation. Ontario Parks' foraging guidance states that foraging for plants and fungi is prohibited in provincial parks. These are Ontario examples; other cities and countries have their own rules.

Read the evidence date

A location check is separate from species identification. Fruit reports are dated observations; conditions may have changed. The catalogue's broad southern Ontario season calendar is not a prediction for every city or hemisphere.

Correct uncertain records

Sign in and use a spot's report option when a pin is inaccurate, duplicated, removed or inappropriate to share. Keep private contact details out of finding notes and photographs. Learn how evidence statuses work.

Written by UrbanPlantz. Access and safety references checked on 14 October 2026. This explains our community map; it is not a professional identification or harvesting assessment.