Florida Administrative Code
5 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
5B - Division of Plant Industry
Chapter 5B-64 - AQUATIC PLANT IMPORTATION, TRANSPORTATION, NON-NURSERY CULTIVATION, POSSESSION AND COLLECTION
Section 5B-64.011 - Prohibited Aquatic Plants

Universal Citation: FL Admin Code R 5B-64.011

Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024

(1) Class I Prohibited Aquatic Plants - Under no circumstances will these species be permitted for possession, collection, transportation, cultivation, and importation except as provided in Rule 5B-64.004, F.A.C.:

SCIENTIFIC NAMES

COMMON NAMES

Alternanthera philoxeroides

Alligatorweed, green lead plant

Casuarina spp.

Australian Pine

Crassula helmsii

Swamp stone crop

Eichhornia spp.

Waterhyacinth

Hydrilla verticillata

Hydrilla, Florida elodea, stargrass, oxygen grass

Ipomoea aquatica

Water spinach

Ipomoea fistulosa

Lagarosiphon spp.

African elodea

Limnocharis flava

Sawah flowing rush

Lythrum salicaria

Purple loosestrife

Melaleuca quinquenervia

Melaleuca

Mimosa pigra

Giant sensitive plant, cat's claw

Monochoria hastata

Monochoria vaginalis

Myriophyllum spicatum

Eurasian watermilfoil

Nechamandra alternifolia

Oryza rufipogon

Wild Red rice

Pontederia rotundifolia

Tropical pickerelweed

Salvinia spp., (excluding S. minima)

Schinus terebinthifolius

Brazilian-pepper

Sparganium erectum

Exotic bur-reed

Stratiotes aloides

Water-aloe, soldier plant

Trapa spp.

Water chestnut

Vossia cuspidata

Hippo grass

(2) Class II Prohibited Aquatic Plants - These species are considered to be highly invasive and noxious in localized areas of the State of Florida. These plants may be cultured in a nursery regulated by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to sections 581.031, 581.131 and 581.145, F.S., and shall only be sold out of state upon approval by the department. These species shall not be imported or collected from the wild. They must be contained in such a manner so as to prevent the dissemination from the nursery premises.

SCIENTIFIC NAMES

COMMON NAME

Hygrophila polysperma

Hygro

Limnophila sessiliflora

Ambulia

Pistia stratiotes

Waterlettuce

(3) The department is authorized to designate additional plants to be prohibited by emergency order as provided in Rule 5B-64.012, F.A.C.

(4) The prohibited aquatic plant list comprises the most recent and accepted scientific and common names of the prohibited aquatic plant species. However, the prohibited status also applies to any synonyms.

(5) The department is authorized to consider a plant for inclusion on the prohibited plant list when it displays, or when there is scientific evidence to believe it could display in the Florida environment, one or more of the following characteristics:

(a) The tendency to spread or become invasive in an ecosystem, sometimes in a rapid manner, so as to impair the ecosystem's ability to function by altering its productivity, decomposition, water fluxes, nutrient cycling and loss, soil fertility, erosion, dissolved oxygen concentrations, or its ability to maintain its existing species diversity.

(b) The propensity to invade and disrupt aquatic and wetland ecosystems in other areas or in other countries with climates similar to that of Florida.

(c) The ability to create dense, monospecific stands or monotypic stands which displace or destroy native plant habitat, destroy fish and wildlife habitats, inhibit water circulation, hinder navigation and irrigation, or severely restrict the recreational use of waterways.

(d) The ability to resist effective management by present technology or available management agents so that only extraordinary efforts, such as repeated chemical treatments at high dosage rates, can bring about effective management.

Rulemaking Authority 369.25, 369.251 FS. Law Implemented 369.25, 369.251 FS.

New 8-11-86, Amended 6-13-93, Formerly 16C-52.011, 62C-52.011.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Florida may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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