This Order declares certain species of flora to be protected throughout the State. In effect this means that, except under licence from the Minister for Finance, it is an offence for a person to cut, pick, uproof or otherwise take, purchase, sell or be in possession of any plant whether whole or part, of a species mentioned in the Order, or wilfully to alter, damage, destroy or interfere with the habitat of such a species. Article 2 (3) of the Order has the effect of excluding from the operation of the Order any plants of the named species which are cultivated as vegetables e.g. asparagus.