Numerous plants in Michigan are protected by state law. Plants may be protected because they're very rare or to prevent overharvest. Michigan legislation that protects plants includes Parts 365 (Endangered Species Protection) and 529 (Christmas Trees, Boughs, Plants, and Other Trees) of P.A. 451 of 1994, and the Michigan Ginseng Act (Act 184 of 1994).

Part 365 (Endangered Species Protection) of P.A. 451 of 1994 protects all plants listed as threatened and endangered in Michigan. A Species can be listed if it has become rare in Michigan due to habitat loss, if Michigan is along the edge of it's range, or simply by overharvest. Part 365 makes it unlawful to collect, pick, cut, dig up, or destroy any threatened or endangered plant in Michigan without a permit from the MDNR. While not protected by Part 365, species listed as "special concern" should be considered rare and be treated accordingly.

Part 529 (Christmas Trees, Boughs, Plants, and Other Trees) of P.A. 451 of 1994 makes it unlawful to possess or transport several species of trees, boughs, wildflowers, shrubs, and mosses without a bill of sale or some other evidence of title. While many of the species protected by Part 529 are not rare, this legislation is in place to prevent the overharvest or irresponsible take of these species.

The Michigan Ginseng Act was passed in 1994 to regulate the harvest, sale, and distribution of American Ginseng in Michigan. This act covers both cultivated and wild ginseng, and makes it unlawful to take American ginseng from the wild without a permit from the MDNR.