San Marino — Thieves have been targeting exotic and sometimes endangered plants at the Huntington Botanical Gardens, and officials hope that raising public awareness will help address the issue.
Sean Lahmeyer, associate director of the Botanical Gardens, reported that the latest theft involved a succulent plant, known as a “cultivar.” This term refers to a plant hybridized by horticulturists to create a new variant.
“Once these plants are gone, the entire ecosystem is affected. It’s not just about one species,” Lahmeyer explained.
To highlight the problem, Lahmeyer and his team have placed signs at locations where plants have been stolen. The signs read: “This plant was stolen. Plant theft is a crime,” and include a QR code for more information on the incident.
With over 80,000 plants and 13,000 variants in its collection, the Huntington Botanical Gardens is an attractive target for plant thieves. However, Lahmeyer hopes that increased security measures and surveillance cameras will deter future thefts.
Since 2021, there have been 61 reported cases of plant vandalism or theft, Lahmeyer noted. Some thieves are casual visitors who take plants as they walk by, while others are involved in a growing black market for ornamental horticulture. Unsuspecting customers often purchase these stolen plants from dishonest online sellers.
Lahmeyer highlighted that thieves prefer ornamental plants, which are highly valued in overseas markets, particularly in Asia. This includes rare cycads, various types of cacti, and orchids.
Next year, the Huntington Botanical Gardens will launch an awareness campaign targeting “buyers, sellers, and even law enforcement.” The campaign will advise plant buyers to inquire about the source and chain of custody of their plants. Lahmeyer emphasized the need for this campaign, noting that the illegal plant trade is not as widely discussed as the illegal animal trade.
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