Last reply, then I will quite hogging thread!:yield:
I checked around to see if Lobelia dortmanna had a protective status:ranger:, and this link is pretty helpful:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch Type in the scientific name and look for your state's status. In Washington it is protected, but in Oregon it is fair game I guess.:fish2:
Collecting plants "in the wild" is always fun and I get a better appreciation of the nature around me, but it is always important to do a little research before you collect. Even if a plant is not protected and fairly common, never disturb a small population. If the plant your after is growing in a dense population, never take a noticeable chunk, only a little bit. I know these common sense speeches get old:violin:, but thats how all of the noxious weeds

got in our waterbodies in the first place! Observe Federal and State laws, they really are there for a reason (most anyway).:ballchain
When I do eventually set up my test aquarium and start to collect, I will research:ranger: all of the plants I am interested in, check their status, and only collect small samples from large healthy populations. If the small sample doesn't work out, a larger one will do no better. If I find my holy grail and there are only a couple of small growths, I will cry and weep:crybaby:, but will continue to look around the area for a bigger population. If I can't find a healthy population, then I will look somewhere else:rant:. If I find a cool plant that I haven't researched and identified, I know where to find it on the next trip, after checking the regulations:ranger:.
Field guides and many many pictures are invaluable tools, as are cameras

hoto:. Always go to the field prepared

ainkille! Mosses are about impossible to identify, get in contact with the horticultural department of the University nearest you to get help identifying any plant in question. They help you out and you can help them by providing the location of collection:hug:.
I am stepping off my soap box now...:icon_hang