![Endangered Flower Stolen at Minnesota Arboretum](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2016/04/GettyImages-102627583.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Endangered Flower Stolen at Minnesota Arboretum
CHANHASSEN, Minn. (AP) - A rare, endangered flower is missing from the Minnesota Arboretum in Chanhassen.
Horticulturist Tom Brinda says the pink and white Showy Lady's Slipper is like a work of art and is just as valuable in the outdoor arboretum as a prized painting in a gallery.
The species is Minnesota's state flower and has been protected by law since 1925. It's illegal to pick or uproot them. Arboretum officials say a security guard noticed the single flower had been taken from the garden along the Green Heron Trail over the weekend.
Experts say the flowers take a long time to develop, sometimes 16 years, before it produces its first blossoms. The plants can also survive for up to 100 years.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Is This The Last Year For The Fish Sunflower Fields Across Minnesota?](http://townsquare.media/site/68/files/2021/07/attachment-RS40425_GettyImages-1171044297-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Flower Arrangements in Full Bloom As Valentine’s Day Nears](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/02/DSC05364.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Fairview Garden’s Planting Parties Give Gardeners a Head Start](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/04/Planting-Parties.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Valentine’s Weekend A Busy Time for St. Cloud Area Florists [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2015/02/Valentines-Day-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Local Art, Music and Food at St. Cloud Art Fair in the Gardens [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2014/07/Art-Fair-in-the-Gardens.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Behind The Scenes: Stop and Smell the Roses at Munsinger/Clemens Gardens [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2014/06/Munsinger-Gardens.png?w=980&q=75)
![Area Flower Shops in Full Bloom for Valentine’s Day [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2014/02/Flowers.png?w=980&q=75)
![All It Takes Is A Green Thumb [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2013/07/Flowers.png?w=980&q=75)
![Volunteers Plant Flowers In St. Cloud’s Downtown Area](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2013/06/Planting-Flowers.jpg?w=980&q=75)