Endangered Species for Sale

Decurrent False Aster $3.00 online

NPR ran a story on the availability of endangered plant species for sale on the web.  A study in the journal Nature reported that 10% of the plants advertised online were endangered species.  Many were even offering to ship the plants between states without a permit, a violation of federal law. 

In a strange quirk in our legal codes, it is illegal to sell endangered animals, but not plants.  This is because of English common law which held that you owned what was on your land but the animals belonged to the King.

Initially the idea of buying these plants might seem like a good idea.  The risks occur when they are moved to another area where they may transmit unique plant diseases.  There is even the possibility that they would thrive in a new environment and become invasive with time.

Decurrent False Aster is an endangered plant which inhabits wetlands.  Previously wide spread in Missouri wetlands, it is only known to occur in St. Charles County now.*  "Decurrent false aster is closely related to Boltonia asteroides var. recognita, which is a common weedy species of false aster."  You can buy 2000 seeds for $3.00 at Amazon.

Life only gets more complex with time.  Editor's note- I wonder what percent of plants offered online are invasive species.

* Missouri Department of Conservation
Thanks to Marlyss Simmons for the story.