3,761. What Produce Requires Removal

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 7:13

An important principle was stated regarding shemittah produce, namely that if produce is (a) used for human consumption, as animal feed or as a dye, and (b) it won’t be kept by the ground, then laws of the shemittah apply to it and to money received for in exchange for it, and they must be removed. Leaves of wild onions, mint and endives are considered intended for human consumption, brambles and thorns are considered animal feed, and woad (a plant in the mustard family) and safflower are considered dyes. If a species will be kept by the ground – like madder (a root used to make red dye) – then even though the laws of the shemittah apply to it and to money received in exchange for it, they need not be removed. One may benefit from such a plant and use it for dye until Rosh Hashana.

Hilchos Shemittah v’Yoveil 7:14

If a plant isn’t designated for human consumption, as animal feed or for dye, since it’s not used as fuel, the laws of shemittah apply to it and to money received in exchange for it, but they need not be removed. This is so even if it won’t be kept in the ground. Rather, one may benefit from it and from the money received in exchange for it until Rosh Hashana. Examples of such produce include wild onion root, mint root and dogbane.