British succulent society chair quits over row about taking specimens from wild

Dr Gregory Bulmer said the practice of taking succulents from the wild can be viewed by the general public as biodiversity loss. Photograph: GFC Collection/Alamy

A furious row has blown up in the UK’s leading succulent society over the practice of taking desirable specimens from the wild, with the chair resigning in protest over the behaviour of his fellow enthusiasts.

Succulents have risen in popularity in recent years: they are attractive and hardy.