As wildflowers start to colour in fields across the nation, many people are celebrating the change of season or just passing the time by picking flowers. But they need to be careful, as some flowers actually have legal protections.
Intentionally picking, uprooting or otherwise destroying certain protected plants or getting flowers from protected areas without permission is illegal under schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, potentially resulting in fines of up to £5,000 or even prison sentences.
This law also makes the sale, possession, advertising for buying or selling of these plants illegal, regardless of whether the plant is alive, dead or just a part of derivative of it is being sold.
Ecologists at Arbtech warned: “Wildflowers play a vital role in biodiversity, providing food and shelter for pollinators and other wildlife. Picking them might seem harmless, but it can disrupt delicate ecosystems and make it harder for plants and animals to thrive.
“A lot of people assume that picking flowers is only illegal if they belong to someone. But legally, all plants are considered wild unless proven otherwise. Even if a flower is growing on private land, taking it without permission could land you in trouble.
“So while grabbing a few daffodils or bluebells on a family walk might feel like no big deal, it can have serious consequences – for both nature and those who get caught. Instead, we encourage families to enjoy wildflowers where they grow and visit public gardens or wildflower meadows to admire them up close without harming the environment.”
Some of the common wildflowers protected under the law include:
- A variety of orchids, including ghost orchids, military orchids and monkey orchids
- Bluebells
- Snowdon Lily
- Field Mugwort
- Great Orme Berry
- A variety of gentians
- Sea Knotgrass
- Meadow Clary
- Cambridge Milk-Parsley
Parks, nature reserves and areas listed as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, SSSIs, are protected in this law, so taking wild plants from these areas without permission is illegal. More information on protected wildflowers and areas can be found on UK Wildlife.
Picking flowers that are on someone’s private land without permission can also get you in trouble even if it’s not specially protected plants. Removing these plants without consent can be considered theft.
