I have a question. I'm a writer, and (for the purposes of a fictional story) I'm wondering is it possible that someone could have a indoor plant that would be very valuable $$$$ to a collector or a museum? If so, could you give me an example? thanks
Large, old bonsai. This one is nearly 400 years old, and probably worth a King's ransom. They do live mainly outdoors, but you could have tropical bonsai indoors. Otherwise, a cycad would be a good candidate.
Orchids. If you are not acquainted with Nero Wolfe, you should be! Append the information below on Rothschild's slipper, which I covet. Golly it's gorgeous. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paphiopedilum_rothschildianum http://most-expensive.net/orchid I further append this page, which lists orchids mentioned in the Wolfe corpus: http://www.nerowolfe.org/htm/tidbits/orchidus_completeus_Peter_Darrell.htm
Certain species of the Aroids, particularly Anthuriums from section Pachyneurium and Belolonchium are worth a great deal to collectors, especially in Asia where they're not native. And I'd nominate Philodendron spiritus-sancti as perhaps the most sought-after Aroid out there at the moment (also a critically endangered species).
In fact, cycads are so valuable that a black market has sprung up around cycads where they can sell for $100,000 (see recent Globe and Mail article, http://ibol.org/wp-content/user-con...years-plant-species-at-risk-of-extinction.pdf).
Thanks for sharing that Globe and Mail article, Lori. Good find. I knew I'd learn a few things joining this forum. Shame this prehistoric plant species is facing extinction due to human greed. We sure mess stuff up. Interesting about the International Barcode of Life project initiated by the University of Guelph ... hoping to catalogue whole earth biodiversity. I didn't know it was possible yet to use a hand-held device to check for DNA.