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May 20, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: In early May I had a friend ask me to take them to Brushy Hill to see the rare Yellow Lady Slipper flowers I had told her about. I have gone every spring for over 10 years to see them in the one spot they grow at Brushy.
As we approached the area, I explained to her that these orchids were exceptionally special because they have a symbiotic relationship with certain plants, fungus and the environment of that specific area.
As we came closer to the area, I realized something was wrong. Shallow holes were in the places where the orchids had been. Someone had dug up all the orchids.
It took 10 years for these 10 orchids to grow and multiply. It took 15 minutes for someone to dig them up for themselves. It’s incredibly upsetting to think that no one will be able to enjoy their beauty again. To top it off, it is quite probable that the stolen orchids will not survive in their new location.
But it’s even more upsetting to know that probably someone in our community selfishly dug them up. Brushy Hill Preserve – and all its plants – is a Rockbridge treasure.
BEE ZWART Lexington
