Owning an endangered species?

[jetflair]

So ....after reading the books I sort of want a Phragmipedium kovachii. I was startled to see vendors that would actually sell me one, and US to US to boot.

I'm a little startled though -- coming from the world of wild felines, anything that's an endangered species or CITES I is near impossible to get across state lines legally, and often requires a permit just to own. Is it really legal for me to order something like this over state lines?

The second question I have is ....is it too early, ethically, for an orchid novice to be owning a plant like this? I might kill it. Should I wait until they are far more widely propagated?

I'm not sure I'd actually get one even if legal and ethical ....but I'd have to know those two things first at any rate.