Why must foragers rigorously avoid harvesting Fat Hen near busy roadways?

Exhaust particulates and heavy metals can accumulate on the leaves.

Responsible foraging for Fat Hen necessitates careful location selection because the plant thrives in disturbed soils, which often correlates with human activity areas. Specifically, harvesting near busy roadways is strongly cautioned against because the leaves and shoots act as collection surfaces for airborne contaminants. Exhaust fumes release various particulates, including heavy metals, which settle directly onto the edible portions of the plant. Consuming greens contaminated with these substances poses a health risk. Therefore, responsible practice demands bypassing areas subjected to heavy traffic in favor of naturally fertile, more secluded locations to ensure the harvested portions are clean and uncontaminated.