Yup, that’s right. Someone has actually stolen an orchid – the rarest plant in Finland, at that.

Suomen harvinaisin kasvi varastettiin

The rare (and now stolen) orchid is a western marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis). It is rare here in Sweden as well.

For the benefit of those who don’t understand Finnish, the article says that the theft was discovered by ornithologists visiting the home of this orchid, a remote island in Dragsfjärd. The site has a sign stating that this is the only flower of its kind in Finland and should not be disturbed. The theft has been reported to the police.

The thieves have thus erased this species from the vegetation map in Finland.

I’ve read about all sorts of things being stolen, but a rare orchid… I’m trying to wrap my brain around it. If you love orchids, then you should have respect for them. If you don’t love orchids, why steal one?

People are weird.