Purchase arum lillies from valid permit holders
No wild flowers, seeds or plants may be removed from the wild without a permit.
The public is urged to make sure arum lilies sellers have a permit to sell before purchasing them.
Last year the Kingsburgh branch of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) and Amanzimtoti Conservancy made a plea to the public not to purchase arum lilies from hawkers at street corners.
The Sun was informed of a seller in the vicinity of the civic centre on Thursday, 11 September. It informed Gill Van Wyk, the Toti Conservancy’s alien plant invader watchdog, who went to investigate.
“Fortunately, this seller had a permit, signed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife,” she said. Arums are indigenous and the flowers are removed from the wild and bush by unscrupulous sellers. No wild flowers, seeds or plants may be removed from the wild without a permit. When flowers are removed, there is no chance for the plants to produce seeds and reproduce.”
