Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Investigating Theft Of Lady's Slipper Flower

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's the case of the stolen Lady's Slipper -- the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is asking for the public's help in finding who made off with the rare flower that is protected under state law.

The Showy Lady's Slipper is Minnesota's state flower, and it's against the law to pick it without permission from the landowner. The flowers can live for up to 100 years, and blossom only two weeks out of the year.

Now, the Arboreteum is making an effort to not only find the thief, but to educate the public about protecting rare plants.

A quarter of a mile down Heron trail and across a bog, you'll find Minnesota's state flower in all its glory.

"It's against the law to touch or harvest these plants in any way," Tom Brinda, the Arboretum's Horticulture Manager, said.

Brinda says the stolen plant was at least 16 years old.

"The plant had been smashed and part of the stem had been removed," he said.

The theft was first noticed Friday night. Word of the incident has sparked outrage on the Arboretum's Facebook page, and among visitors. Carole Lampi said,

"I am devastated," Arboretum visitor Carole Lampi said. "It's really, really sad, because they only bloom for a short time, and that's what we came here for."

While the Arboretum does not know the motive behind the Lady's Slipper theft, they believe the thief was likely a vandal instead of someone who was passionate about the flower. Arboretum officials say the thief pushed open small, protective barrier into the flowers.

Brinda says it is extremely difficult to try to grow the flower from a cutting, or its seeds.

"They would really have to be an expert to get it to grow to maturity," he said.

The Arboretum has been asking anyone with information about the theft to call them, and they're hoping the loss can lead to a new appreciation.

"This is a way to raise consciousness about the value of native plants where habitat is waning," Brinda said. "This is a perfect example, and we have it here at the Arboretum."

If you want to see the remaining Lady's Slippers in bloom, you'll need to go the Arboreteum in the next few days. Horticulturists say the 90-degree temperatures this weekend will likely lead to a shorter blooming period.