Is it illegal to pick lady slippers in Masschusetts?

Answer 1

All orchids have some protection in Massachusetts.

A 1935 law entitled an "Act to Protect All Wild Azaleas, Wild Orchids and Cardinal Flower" reads:
"Chapter 266 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 116, as appearing in the Tercentenary Edition, the following new section:--Section 116A. No person shall pull up or dig up the plant of a wild azalea, wild orchid or cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), or any part thereof, or injure any such plant or any part thereof except in so far as is reasonably necessary in procuring the flower therefrom, within the limits of any state highway or any other public way or place, or upon the land of another person without the written authority from him, and no person shall buy or sell, or offer or expose for sale, any such flower, or the whole of any part of the plant thereof, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe, that in procuring such flower or plant the foregoing provisions have been violated. Violation of any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than five dollars." Approved April 1, 1935.

Answer 2

Yes. The many types of ladyslippers are members of the orchid family and they are protected as an endangered species in Massachusetts. It is illegal to dig then up or pick them. See the link for a website that lists endangered species in Massachusetts. Scroll down to the orchid section for the various different kinds with photos. You should also note that ladyslippers can be purchased from nurseries and the ones that grow in the wild do not thrive when transplanted. They rely on the soil conditions and other organisms where they grow naturally.

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/species-information-and-conservation/mesa-list/list-of-rare-species-in-massachusetts.html

Answer 3

yes, but what I've always wondered is if you could buy seeds and cultivate it...does any1 know if that's illegal?

Answer 4

yes its true