Is It Illegal To Pick The Minnesota State Flower?

It's officially spring. Flowers are blooming. Allergies are awful. The sun is even shining. (Imagine that!)

Many like to head outdoors, take a walk and of course, take advantage of the beautiful Minnesota scenery. You should be extra careful next time you think about plucking a flower on your route, though.

Did you know it is actually illegal to pick, uproot or unearth our official Minnesota state flower? It's true! The Pink & White Lady's Slipper is not for our picking pleasure.

Apparently, the wildflower is so rare that said law protecting it started in 1925.

The wildflower is about to go into peak blooming season, which runs from late June through early July. That's why it's extra important to keep this law in mind right about now.

The Pink & White Lady's Slipper can be found in bogs, swamps and wooded areas where there is a lot of natural light. They take up to 16 years to produce their first flower, according to statesymbolsusa.org, and can live up to 100 years old.

Next time you see one in the wild, take a picture and admire it for a moment but then keep walking. The more you know!