EXOTIC plants worth around £2,000 have been stolen from Ventnor Botanic Garden on the Isle of Wight.
The haul is effectively worthless because without expert care in the right conditions, the plants will almost certainly die.
Newport police and the Isle of Wight Council, which runs the garden, have appealed for information on the theft that happened over the weekend.
Curator Simon Goodenough said among the plants taken were specialist Yuccas from Mexico and the North American Deserts and Puya plants that are native to the Andes.
"These are plants that need special conditions and specialist care if they are to grow. The chances are they will die if grown in an ordinary garden," Mr Goodenough said.
It is the latest in a spate of thefts from the recent months.
If anyone has information they can call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 or 0845 045 45 45, or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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