Is It a Crime to Pick a Lady Slipper in New Hampshire?

I found this Pink Lady's Slipper in the woods over the weekend. You'll notice I didn't get near it because I always heard that picking them is a violation of a STATE LAW resulting in fines and possible imprisonment. 

Within about 2 seconds of research you can discover that this STATE LAW, based on it's rarity, is nothing but an old wives tale. In fact, this beautiful orchid grows in abundance as far south as Tennessee as the video above displays.

Yet, a great article in nh-roots.org describes in detail that an 80 year old law IS on the books in Massachusetts denoting a cash penalty. This has to be where the NH wives tale came from!

Leave it to The Bay State to fine someone $5 for picking a lady slipper. I'm certain this is one of those laws that would even make Barney Fife look the other way.

Since they're pretty and because they wilt terribly when picked, pretending that you are avoiding a felonious charge by leaving them alone seems like the most fun alternative.