There may only be a few known plants, and it&#x27;s likely there&#x27;s already some in a botanic garden — professionally cared for and available for research, rather than stuffed in a suitcase then hidden in a shed. Several of the cacti mentioned are available commercially, but that&#x27;s not good enough for these collectors.<p>(Incidentally, collectors also steal plants from botanic gardens.)<p>&gt; Cows and wheat are in no danger of extinction<p>Not necessarily.  There&#x27;s very little genetic diversity in domesticated species, which leaves them susceptible to disease and intolerant of changes to climate etc.  The &quot;crop wild relatives&quot; are essential if some disease does appear — as it did for bananas — and threaten to wipe out the domesticated breed&#x2F;variety.