The Des Moines Register

Three central Iowa men were charged with theft for allegedly harvesting ginseng roots on state managed lands over Labor Day weekend.

Bart Bollie, 53, of Madrid, Kyle Jones, 55, of Slater and Brent Jones, 28, of Slater, were charged with fifth degree theft, unlawful possession of wild ginseng root from state-managed lands, and unlawful possession of young wild ginseng, according to a news release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

All three men had valid Iowa ginseng harvester permits. However, it is illegal to harvest ginseng from state-owned land and most county conservation land, according to the DNR.

State Conservation Officer Matt Bruner spotted the men while patrolling remote areas of public land in northern Dallas and southern Boone counties on Monday afternoon, according to the news release.

Officers seized 406 illegally harvested ginseng roots, including 41 roots that did not meet legal harvest age.

Ginseng plants must have three or more prongs and a flowering or fruiting stalk with red fruits in order to be dug up, according to the news release. Once dug up, the roots must have at least five stem scars to be harvested. Roots with less than five stem scars must be carefully replanted in the same location.

Bollie, Jones and Jones are set to appear in Dallas County court Sept. 12. The DNR is asking for $292.50 in restitution and damages from each man.

Ginseng is a slow-growing plant and its root is used in herbal products, supplements and teas. Most of the ginseng collected in Iowa is exported to countries in Asia, with a small portion going to cities along the West Coast, according to the DNR.

Last year, an average quality ginseng root could bring $500 to $600 per pound. High quality roots could cost up to $750 per pound.

In Iowa, ginseng can be harvested from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 on private land. Harvesters must have a valid ginseng harvester permit, which cost $37.

There are 154 permitted ginseng harvesters in Iowa.