International awareness of the collection and sale of wild plants to the horticultural trade is increasing. Sara Oldfield gives a status report

Green gardening is gaining ground. Wild-flower meadows are planted in suburbia, native flowers are in vogue and gardeners are increasingly turning away from peat-based compost. Gardeners may, however, still be contributing to the loss of attractive wild species by unwittingly buying plants dug up from their native habitats.

Orchids, succulents, bulbs, aquatics, ferns and palms taken from the wild routinely appear in the trade. Most plants available to gardeners are raised commercially, but vigilance and better consumer information are still essential so that gardeners can make informed choices about their plant purchases.

Bulbs have been the main cause for concern over recent years. Now there is more awareness of the origin of our favourite spring bulbs, but can we continue planting each year with a clear conscience? Turkey, traditionally the major source of wild bulbs for the international market, remains the leading exporter. The huge scale of the trade became apparent in the late 1980s, leading to calls for international trade controls. Galanthus and Sternbergia were added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1989, joining Cyclamen which was listed when the Convention was first drawn up in 1973.

Listing by CITES means that export licences are required. Under stricter European Union (EU) regulations, import permits are also required. The CITES licensing procedures are designed to ensure that trade is only allowed if not detrimental to wild populations. They also allow for the monitoring of levels of international trade in wild plants.