Is it legal to pick wild orchid for sale in the US?

[thefish1337]

Originally Posted by RoseSD

I am not sure how to figure out the State. Here is the store:
***Website URL redacted by admin***

Way too many poached plants getting on Etsy. The popularity of succulents has resulted in ancient plants being ripped from the desert and sold where they will probably die a slow death.

Looks like you can legally collect wild plants in TN with a permit-

Plant Certification Forms

[Steve83]

I didn't see any reference to the plants on that Etsy link being wild collected. There

They are cultivated with regularity by various nurseries through that region, even further North

[isurus79]

I'd very cautious about labeling someone a poacher. I also don't see any reference about distributing wild or seed grown plants. Just a bunch of pretty pictures with no indication one way or the other.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I'd very cautious about labeling someone a poacher. I also don't see any reference about distributing wild or seed grown plants. Just a bunch of pretty pictures with no indication one way or the other.

You're right, I just had a look at the shop too. They used photos of 'wild looking' plants (or growing in someone's yard), but I see nothing to indicate that they are wild collected. One review notes that the plants/roots look really nice and clearly are not from wild harvested stock.

Until the OP can clarify how they came to that conclusion, I will remove the link to the shop in order to avoid issues with false accusations, as there is no indication of any illegal or shady activity going on and the vast majority of the reviews are very positive.

[RoseSD]

Originally Posted by isurus79

I'd very cautious about labeling someone a poacher. I also don't see any reference about distributing wild or seed grown plants. Just a bunch of pretty pictures with no indication one way or the other.

They told me that pictured plants were picked from the wild for sale

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by RoseSD

They told me that pictured plants were picked from the wild for sale

Ah, that's interesting. They might have permits to do so, or maybe not?

[Maryanne]

Folks:
I agree that poaching orchids are a disgrace, while there are at least several legal USA nurseries that can sell native orchids which are grown form seed or divisions.
My big complaint is that power companies can do what ever they like - feel the need to do - when renovating powerline cuts through the countryside and woods. I know of two places recently "re-landscaped" by heavy machinery to benefit our growing voracious appetite for electricity. A large patch of Cyp. acaule (you know the pink lady slipper) now under a pile of rocks too heavy for me to lift. And another location held Platanthera grandiflora, entirely obliterated. so infuriating. Just had to get that off my chest. Thanks for reading.
Maryanne (plant hugger)

[RoseSD]

This is why although I do everything personally possible to preserve resources and recycle everything, I still often feel hopeless about the future of our planet.

[Subrosa]

Poaching is illegal wild collection. It's quite possible to legally collect wild orchids, depending upon the state you're in. Here in PA, any native plants which are not federally protected can be collected on private property with landowner permission. Most of our natives are autotrophic species which are quite capable of feeding themselves once they reach a certain stage of development. Mycorrhizae are only needed for germination and early development of these species. True mycoheterotrophs like coralroots are a different matter entirely, and should never be wild collected. There has been some work in Japan with their native mycoheterotrophic species, and there has been limited success with growing, blooming and then growing successive generations from the seed produced, but I'm unaware of any success with US native mycoheterotrophs. The difficulty in transplanting terrestrial species varies widely. Most bog species are stupid easy, not just for orchids but for plants in general. Just keep them sopping wet after transplanting and losses are minimal. Growing Pogonia species is very easy, providing you can grow Sphagnum moss. Cypripedium are a special case, mostly due to the unusual nature of their root systems. And C. acaule is extra difficult due to its demanding very specific soil conditions. Typical plants have roots that grow deep into the soil in search of moisture and nutrients, and digging them for transplanting is simply a matter of working around the dripline (the spread of the branches) and going deep enough to get the bulk of the roots. Cypripedium roots grow horizontally a couple inches below the surface, and radiate out like the spokes of a wheel. A first bloom C. acaule will have a root system 2'-3' in diameter, and if you dig at the dripline you cut off the vast majority of the roots, condemning the plant to death regardless of how good the conditions are that you transplant it into. The special difficulty with acaule is that it requires extremely acidic conditions to inhibit bacteria which will cause them to rot. There is at least one company I know of that grows them from seed in vitro. Under sterile conditions the seeds germinate and grow well at a slightly acidic pH, almost approaching neutral. But once they come out of the flasks they will quickly rot if not put into a substrate with a pH below 5.0, the lower the better. It's recommended to water them with a solution of 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar per gallon of rainwater, ro or distilled. Unless you're truly blessed, your tapwater is the kiss of death for them. Living here in the Appalachians of PA, acaule are actually quite common. I collected a tiny one a couple years back from a neighbor's property with permission and planted it in a high spot in my carnivorous plant and orchid bog. I suspect it may bloom this year. One other thing about Cypripedium is that squirrels and chipmunks eat them like potato chips, so if that's a possibility you'll want to take precautions. I cleared away some of the pine needles and got this pic of mine just emerging from the peat/sand substrate of the bog: