Between the late 1990s and 2007 a number of people were fined for removing thousands of bluebell bulbs for profit.
Yet while the Wildlife and Countryside Act was amended to stop bluebells being dug up for sale, conservationists say there are other threats to common plants.
Careless building development, illegal raves on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and people digging up wildflowers for their gardens all put species in peril.
Conservation charity Plantlife wants a new offence of “reckless destruction” to be introduced to help save the most popular plants as well as rare species such as the dark red helleborine that is threatened with extinction.
Plantlife’s botanical specialist Dr Trevor Dines explained: “There are three types of illegal activity.
“The first is the digging up of common plants like primroses by people to grow in their gardens.
Cowslips are under threat [GETTY]Some rare species have nearly been exterminated through collection but the loss of even common wild flowers can deeply affect those who love them
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“There’s no ‘smoking trowel’ – the first sign of a crime is usually a hole in the ground.”
He said the impact of the thefts was immense.
“Some rare species have nearly been exterminated through collection but the loss of even common wild flowers can deeply affect those who love them.
“If favourite orchids you’ve enjoyed for years on a walk are dug up, it’s truly heartbreaking.”
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds also wants tougher legislation to protect flora.
The RSPB’s Robin Wynde said: “The theft of wild plants such as rare orchids is similar to the theft of rare birds.
“It’s a crime against wildlife but also a crime against everyone who enjoys nature in the wild.”
Orchid thieves have long had a devastating impact.
The summer lady’s tresses orchid became extinct after being collected from its remaining New Forest haunts in 1956, while today there is only one wild lady’s slipper orchid in existence at a secret location in the Yorkshire Dales.