AboutOrchids

No, it’s not a sequel to The Orchid Thief, just some encouraging news that a “Rare British orchid gets police protection from overzealous collectors.” The rare orchid is a Lady Slipper species which still exists in other parts of Europe, but this is the last wild specimen of its kind in Britain. It’s under police protection to prevent irresponsible and selfish orchid collectors from trying to steal it again. Last year, thieves stole part of the plant, but this year, regular police patrols should ensure its safety. Take the legal threat as one of many good reasons why you should never remove an orchid from the wild or cut its flowers.

Of course, orchid conservation doesn’t require a badge. Illinois College students are hoping to return a rare Hawaiian orchid to the wild. Although it’s home to innumerable orchids today, Hawaii’s remoteness meant that only 3 orchid species existed in the islands before humans arrived. Now all 3 native species are seriously endangered, and there are only 36 Platanthera holochila plants remaining in the wild. Hope is coming from an Illinois lab, where hundreds of this species’ seedlings are slowly growing, destined for reintroduction to native habitats in Hawaii. If all goes well, the Illinois College students and their biology professor are hoping to bring the first batch home next March. From colleges to cops, orchids can use everybody’s help in their struggle for survival.

Explore posts in the same categories: Conservation, In the News

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 at 10:03 pm and is filed under Conservation, In the News.

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