The Dangerous World of Rare Orchids: A Tale of Beauty and Deception

Orchids in bloom

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 13, 1989 On this day, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune published a story that lifted the veil on the shadowy world of rare orchid trading. The article focused on Limerick Inc. and an alleged…

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Roy Lancaster and the Tragic Fate of the Golden Slipper Orchid

Roy Lancaster, renowned British plantsman, garden writer, and broadcaster. He is known for his extensive plant hunting expeditions, particularly in China, and for his contributions to botany and gardening education.

Orchid Smugglers On this day, British plant explorer Roy Lancaster revealed that a thriving black market for plants was threatening rare Chinese orchids. In the same way, an art collector might buy stolen works of art underground; elite plant collectors are the wealthy clients of orchid smugglers. Lancaster shared the plight of Paphiopedilum armeniacum (“paff-ee-oh-PED-ih-lum…

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