While picking wildflowers may be a rather pleasant afternoon activity, it's also one that could end with you receiving a whopping £5,000 or even a . Ecologists from have issued warnings as the , as many people don't realise that intentionally picking, uprooting, or destroying certain wild without permission is illegal in the UK.
Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects several plants, making it illegal to uproot, damage, or destroy them in the wild without a license. Plants protected by this law include native bluebells and rare . As spring and summer get underway, the risk of breaking this law increases, with many people not even realising they're committing a crime.
And it's not just the legal consequences that the experts are highlighting. Picking wildflowers can also damage ecosystems and harm protected species.
A spokesperson for Arbtech said: "Wildflowers play a vital role in biodiversity, providing food and shelter for pollinators and other wildlife.
"Picking them might seem harmless, but it can disrupt delicate ecosystems and make it harder for plants and animals to thrive.
"A lot of people assume that picking flowers is only illegal if they belong to someone.
"But legally, all plants are considered wild unless proven otherwise.
"Even if a flower is growing on private land, taking it without permission could land you in trouble.
"So while grabbing a few daffodils or bluebells on a family walk might feel like no big deal, it can have serious consequences - for both nature and those who get caught."
Some of the wildflowers protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981For the full list of the plants protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 then go to .
