Speaking up for wild plants We are Plantlife.

Why conserve wild plants?

Cornflower. © Lliam Rooney

Have you ever thought what a world without plants would be like?

The short answer: desolate with no animal life, let alone human life.

Quite simply plants are the essence of our planet. Despite this they are all too often taken for granted, overlooked or ignored.

The decline of wild plants is about more than just the countryside losing its colour: when it comes to environmental issues, wild plants and fungi are essential ingredients. They make up the habitats and landscapes we recognise and love.

Take a habitat like heathland, for example. Heath is made up of many wonderful wild flowers and other plants such as bilberry, heather, devil’s-bit scabious, butterfly orchids and marsh gentian. All of these support rare animal species, such as marsh fritillary butterflies, yellow underwing moths, adders, voles, nightjar and short-eared owls.

Plants are the fundamental building blocks of all ecosystems - if plants and fungi are doing well, everything else has a much better chance of surviving, including you and me.

Plantlife believes that if we get the wild plant conservation right, then all wildlife will flourish.

We need your support in rising to this challenge and taking action whether through volunteering, conservation partnerships, or advocating for change in government policy. Please help us by becoming a member - for only £2 a month you’ll be making a difference not only to our wild flora but to our countryside as a whole for generations to come.

Read our manifesto - The Ghost Orchid Declaration by clicking here.