Don't touch that flower! These species are protected in Canada
You're on a hike and spot a wildflower: Stop right there.
Picking that pretty flower you spot on the trail could damage or even kill the plant you leave behind. And if it's one of Canada's protected species, you could face hefty fines and jail time.
For example, wild American ginseng is endangered in Canada due to overharvesting from poachers.
Even small roots are lucrative on the black market. Anyone caught illegally harvesting it can face fines of up to $250,000 and a year in jail.
American ginseng. (Lori Owen/CC BY-NC 4.0)
If you ever get near a plant, though, there's a good chance officials will know. In some spots, it is under motion-triggered video surveillance.
In British Columbia, the Dogwood, Rhododendron, and Trillium Protection Act of 1996 made it illegal to pick these flowers on public and private land without the owner's consent. The act was repealed in 2002, but picking these plants remains prohibited.
If you spot a western red lily in Saskatchewan, leave it be. This provincial flower is protected under Saskatchewan's Provincial Emblem and Honours Act. Picking this plant could result in a fine of up to $500, and it probably won't survive. The species doesn't fare well when transplanted.
The wild leek is a vulnerable species in Quebec, and a $250,000 fine, or more, is possible if you are caught trying to harvest one.
Ontario is home to the trillium, which has been the provincial flower since 1937.
File photo of a trillium via Canva Pro.*
In 2009, the Ontario Trillium Protection Act was introduced, suggesting fines starting at $500 if an individual is caught picking the flower. That bill was never enacted, but picking a trillium is strongly discouraged because it can damage or kill the remaining plant.
Remember: When you're out this summer, leave trails as you found them. Even plants that aren't protected deserve a chance to bloom.
Header image: File photo of a western red lily. Mason Brock/Wikipedia/Public Domain
