Marshside bee orchid

courtesy picture

The Lady's Slipper - Britain's rarest wild orchid

Source : yahoo!news 7/5/2010

Britain's rarest wild flower will receive police protection from theives when it blooms later this month.

The Lady's Slipper orchid at Silverdale Golf Course in Carnforth, Lancashire, is the last remaining flowering plant of its kind growing wild in Britain.

It is protected by law but wildlife officers are so concerned about it they are setting up extra patrols.

Police are considering tagging the plant with a specialist marker fluid normally used to deter burglars.

Cuttings from the plant are so rare that they can be sold to collectors for up to £5,000.

Horticultural experts have tried to re-introduce the purple and yellow species in other areas but none of them have flowered.