Some botanists say consumers are to blame for the extinction of many wild species, yet few studies have investigated the role of consumer behavior in driving exploitation of rare, wild species in the lucrative horticultural trade.
A study led by Sophie Williams, a postdoctoral researcher at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden under the Chinese Academy of Sciences investigated consumer preferences for particular attributes of ornamental plants and her findings were published in the journal Conservation Letters in May.
Williams' research team found that most consumers who purchase wild orchids are unaware they are buying an endangered species. They just want cheap colorful flowers, and would be just as happy buying cultivated plants.
Williams' research suggested that the best way to preserve wild orchids might be to strengthen enforcement of existing regulations to prevent wild plants being sold.