Wild orchids spotted on sale in Mong Kok despite legal protection for endangered plants
Wild species of the festive blooms are being sold even though it's illegal to pick them and importing the threatened plants is restricted
Wild orchids are being openly sold in Hong Kong despite an international treaty protecting the plants, a leading botanist has said.
Stephan Gale, of the Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden in the New Territories, said he saw wild orchids being sold at a flower market in Mong Kok.
The import and export of wild orchids is restricted in Hong Kong under the Cites treaty which protects endangered plants and animals. Those breaking the law face a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and a year's imprisonment, although Gale said he is not aware of any recent criminal cases.
"It's also illegal to pick or damage wild orchids in Hong Kong but there is a lack of awareness about this."
Wild orchids in Hong Kong and southern parts of the mainland are under threat from rapid urbanisation. "The natural environment has changed drastically due to a burgeoning human population and pressures in land use caused by the expansion of agriculture, so unfortunately many orchid species are under threat, and some have disappeared."
Hong Kong has more than 130 varieties of wild orchids, at least seven of which have become extinct. Gale, who specialises in orchids, warned that many prime orchid habitats remain at risk.
He said the other main threat is traditional Chinese medicine.
"Sadly, tens of thousands of orchids are harvested from the remaining forest fragments each year to fuel the horticultural and medicinal plants trade."
In traditional Chinese medicine, orchid-derived products are used to treat ailments ranging from indigestion to lung cancer and eye problems, although there is no concrete scientific evidence showing they are effective. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in Hong Kong insisted they were unfamiliar with such products.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has warned travellers, in particular those returning from the mainland, not to bring back orchids without a licence.
During the festive period, the moth orchid is a popular bloom with shoppers. Gale said nursery-grown blooms are legal and consumers can tell the difference from wild orchids because the plants are usually potted in uniform batches and look healthy.
However, he urged people not to buy wild orchids which are often mixtures of species, ages and sizes and are "typically not potted, with unhealthy roots and leaves showing signs of a wild upbringing, such as sunburn, wrinkles and insect bites".
He advised customers to ask a vendor if they were unsure about the plant's origin. He also advised people not to discard the plant after it's finished flowering. "These plants, when looked after properly, can flower over and over again."
