20 percent of UK plant species are endangered — UK loses one species of wild plant every two years
Stinging nettles have become the most common plants in the British countryside, while more delicate flowers like harebells and orchids are struggling to survive, according to a survey.
By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent
Published: 8:00AM BST 17 Apr 2010 The annual survey of wild flowers by the charity Plantlife found plants that can tolerate high levels of nitrogen from the artificial fertilisers used in farming, like the common nettle, cow parsley and lords-and-ladies, are flourishing. But more delicate species that need ancients woodland or open glades, like wood sorrel, meadow clary and lady’s slipper orchid, are struggling. The charity claim every county in the UK is losing, on average, one species of wild plant every two years. Plantlife are so concerned about the state of the country’s wild flowers, the charity is launching a more extensive survey this year to try and find out where plants are in danger. … Sue Southway, Wildflowers Count Survey Officer, said one in five of Britain’s wild plants is threatened with extinction because of the intensification of agriculture, climate change and pollution. …
