Invasive Plants

Combined State and Federal Lists
March, 2008
Scientific Name Family Common Name States and/or Federal
Aeschynomene indica Fabaceae Indian Jointvetch HI
Aeschynomene rudis Fabaceae Rough Jointvetch CA
Aeschynomene virginica Fabaceae Curly Indigo AR
Alternanthera philoxeroides Amaranthaceae Alligatorweed AL, AZ, AR, CA, FL, PR, SC, TX
Alternanthera sessilis Amaranthaceae Sessile Joyweed FED; DE, MA, PR
Alternanthera spp. Amaranthaceae Joyweed AR, PR
Arundo donax Mediterranean Reed TX
Azolla pinnata Azollaceae Mosquito Fern, Water Velvet FED; DE, MA
Bacopa monnieri Schrophulariaceae Moneywort CA
Bacopa spp. Scrophulariaceae Waterhyssop PR
Brasenia schreberi Cabombaceae Watershield PR
Butomus umbellatus Cabombaceae Flowering Rush CT, MI, NH, VT, WA, City of Chicago
Cabomba caroliniana Cabombaceae Purple Fanwort CA(q), CT, MA, ME, NH, PR, VT, WA
Cabomba spp. Cabombaceae Fanwort PR
Calotropis procera Asclepiadaceae Giant Milkweed PR
Canna flaccida Cannaceae Canna PR
Cardamine impatiens Canada
Caulerpa taxifolia Caulerpaceae Mediterranean Caul. clone FED; DE, MA
Cephalanthus occidentalis Rubiaceae Buttonbush PR
Ceratophyllum demersum Ceratophyllaceae Coontail PR
Ceratophyllum spp. Ceratophyllaceae Coontail PR
Ceratopteris spp. Pteridaceae Water Sprite CA
Cicuta maculata Water Hemlock NV
Colocasia esculenta Araceae Wild Taro OK, PR
Colocasia spp. Araceae Taro HI (p) (q)
Crassula helmsii Crassulaceae Swamp Stonecrop FL, NC, Canada
Crinum americanum Amaryllidaceae Swamp Lily PR
Cyperus esculentus Cyperaceae Yellow Nutsedge CA, CO, HI, MI, OR, WA
Cyperus odoratus Cyperaceae Flatsedge PR
Cyperus rotundus Cyperaceae Purple Nutsedge AR, CA, OR
Cyperus spp. Cyperaceae Nutgrass RI
Egeria (Elodea) densa Hydrocharitaceae Brazilian Elodea AL, CT, MA, ME, MI, NC, NH, OK, OR, PR, SC, VT, WA, City of Chicago
Eichhornia azurea Pontederiaceae Anchored Waterhyacinth FED; AR, AZ, DE, LA, MA, TX
Eichhornia crassipes Pontederiaceae Waterhyacinth AL, AR, AZ, CA, LA, OK, PR, SC, TX, City of Chicago
Eichhornia spp. Pontederiaceae Waterhyacinth FL, PR
Eleocharis baldwinii Cyperaceae Slender Spikerush PR
Eleocharis spp. Cyperaceae Spikerush PR
Elodea canadensis Hydrocharitaceae Common Elodea LA, ME
Epilobium hirsutum Onagraceae Hairy Willow Herb MA, WA
Equisetum telmateia Equisetaceae Giant Horsetail OR
Fallopia japonica Japanese Knotweed MI, VT
Glossostigma diandrum Schrophulariaceae Mud Mat WA
Glyceria maxima Manna Grass MA, WA
Heracleum mantegazzianum Giant Hogweed MA, MI
Houttuynia cordata City of Chicago
Houttuynia cordata 'Variegata' Chameleon Plant City of Chicago
Hydrilla hydrilla Hydrocharitaceae Hydrilla CO
Hydrilla verticillata Hydrocharitaceae Hydrilla FED; AZ, CA, CT, DE, FL, LA, MA, ME, MI, NV, NH, OR, PR, SC, TX, VT, WA, City of Chicago, Canada
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae Hydrocharitaceae Frogbit ME, MI, NH, VT, WA, City of Chicago
Hydrocleys nymphoides Water Poppy OK
Hydrocotyle spp. Umbelliferae Pennywort PR
Hydrocotyle umbellata Umbelliferae Water Pennywort PR
Hygrophila polysperma Acanthaceae Hygrophila, Miramar weed FED; DE, FL, MA, VT
Ipomoea aquatica Convolvulaceae Chinese Waterspinach FED; DE, FL, MA, TX, City of Chicago
Ipomoea fistulosa Convolvulaceae Bush Morningglory FL
Ipomoea spp. Convolvulaceae Morningglory AZ, AR, MI, PR
Ipomoea triloba Convolvulaceae Threelobe Morningglory PR
Iris douglasiana Iridaceae Douglas Iris CA
Iris missouriensis Iridaceae Western Blue Flag CA
Iris pseudacorus Iridaceae Yellow Flag Iris CT, MA, MI, OK, OR, VT, City of Chicago
Iris virginica Iridaceae Blue Flag PR
Juncus effusus Juncaceae Soft Rush PR
Lachnanthes caroliniana Haemodoraceae Redroot PR
Lagarosiphon major Hydrocharitaceae Oxygen weed FED; DE, MA, MI, TX
Lagarosiphon spp. Hydrocharitaceae African Elodea FL, LA, MI, NC
Lemna valdiviana Lemnaceae Valdivia Duckweed PR
Limnobium laevigatum Hydrocharitaceae Sponge Plant CA(q)
Limnobium spongia Hydrocharitaceae American Frogbit CA(q), PR
Limnocharis flava Alismataceae Sawah Flowering Rush, Velvet Leaf FL
Limnophila indica Scrophulariaceae Ambulia CA(q), Canada
Limnophila sessiliflora Scrophulariaceae Ambulia FED; DE, FL, MA, Canada
Ludwigia alternifolia Onagraceae Bushy Waterprimrose PR
Ludwigia grandiflora Canada
Ludwigia hexapetala Onagraceae Uruguay Waterprimrose NC, SC, WA
Ludwiigia peruviana Canada
Ludwigia repens Onagraceae Floating Waterprimrose PR
Ludwigia spp. Onagraceae Waterprimrose PR
Ludwigia uruguayensis Onagraceae Uruguay Waterprimrose NC, SC
Luziola fluitans Poaceae Southern Watergrass PR
Lysimachia nummularia Primulaceae Creeping Jenny MA
Lysimachia vulgaris Primulaceae Garden Loosestrife CT, WA
Lythrum alatum Lythraceae Winged Loosestrife NH, TN
Lythrum salicaria Lythraceae Purple Loosestrife AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, ID, IL, IN, IA, LA, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, ND, OH, OK, OR, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY, City of Chicago
Lythrum spp. (not native to specific state) Lythraceae Loosestrife AR, MI, MT, NC, PA, TN, WA, WI
Lythrum virgatum Lythraceae Wand Loosestrife IA, MN, MT, NE, NV, NH, ND, TN, WA
Marsilea minuta Dwarf Four Leaf Clover OK
Marsilea mutica Variegated Four Leaf Clover OK
Marsilea quadrifolia Four Leaf Clover CT, OK, Canada
Melaleuca quinquenervia Myrtaceae Melaleuca FED; DE, FL, LA, MA, TX
Mentha aquatica Labiatae Aquatic Mint ID(q), MT(q), NE(q), WY(q)
Micranthemem umbrosum Scrophulariaceae Globifera PR
Miscanthus floridulus Poaceae Miscanthus HI
Miscanthus sacchariflorus Poaceae Silver Grass MA
Monochoria hastata Pontederiaceae Monochoria FED; DE, FL, MA
Monochoria vaginalis Pontederiaceae Pickerelweed FED; DE, FL, MA
Murdannia keisak Commelinaceae Marsh Dew Flower WA
Myosotis scirpoides Forget-me-not CT, MA
Myriophyllum aquaticum Haloragidaceae Parrotfeather AL, CT, MA ,ME, MI, NV, NH, OK, VT, WA, PR, City of Chicago, Canada
Myriophyllum heterophyllum Haloragaceae Variableleaf Watermilfoil CT, MA, ME, NH, VT
myriophyllum pinnatum ME
Myriophyllum proserpinacoides ME
Myriophyllum spicatum Haloragaceae Eurasian Watermilfoil AL, CO, CT, FL, ID, LA, MA, ME, MI, NH, NC, NV, OR, PR, SC, TX, VT, WA, City of Chicago
Myriophyllum spp. Haloragaceae Milfoil ME, MI, PR
Najas minor Najadaceae Slender-Leaved Naiad LA, MA, ME, NC, NH, OK, SC, WA, Canada
Nelumbo lutea Nelumbonaceae American Lotus CT, PR
Nuphar luteum Nymphaceae Spatterdock PR
Nymphaea mexicana Nymphaceae Banana Waterlily CA, PR
Nymphaea odorata Nymphaceae Fragrant Waterlily PR
Nymphoides peltata Nymphaceae Yellow Floating Heart CT, MA, ME, MI, NH, OK, VT, WA, Canada
Orontium aquaticum Araceae Goldenclub PR
Oryza sativa var. Red Rice AR
Ottelia alismoides Hydrocharitaceae Duck-lettuce FED; DE
Panicum antidotale Poaceae Blue Panicgrass CA
Panicum hemitomon Poaceae Maidencane PR
Panicum miliaceum Poaceae Wild Proso Millet CO, OR
Panicum repens Poaceae Torpedo Grass AL, AZ, HI, LA, TX
Peltandra virginica Araceae Arrow-arum PR
Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass MA
Phragmites australis Poaceae Common Reed AL, CT, MA, MI, NC, NH, PR, SC, VT
Phragmites australis aurea Poaceae Variegated Dwarf Common Reed CT, MA, MI, NC, VT
Phragmites australis'Candy Stripe Poaceae Candy Stripe Reed CT, MA, MI, NC, VT
Phragmites communis Poaceae Common Reed CT, NC, SC, NH
Pistia spp. Araceae Water Lettuce SC
Pistia stratiotes Araceae Waterlettuce AL, CA, CT, FL, LA, OK, PR, SC, TX
Polygonum amphibium Polygonaceae Water Knotweed CA
Polygonum cuspidatum Polygonaceae Japanese Knotweed AL, CA, MA, OR
Polygonum perfoliatum Polygonaceae Mile-a-minute MA, NC, OH, PA
Polygonum polystachyum Polygonaceae Himalayan Knotweed CA, OR
Polygonum sachalinense Polygonaceae Giant Knotweed CA, OR
Polygonum spp. Polygonaceae Knotweed PR
Pontederia cordata Pontederiaceae Pickerelweed PR
Pontederia rotundifolia Pontederiaceae Tropical Pickerelweed FL
Pontederia spp. Pontederiaceae Pickerelweed LA
Potamogeton crispus Potamogetonaceae Curly Leaf Pondweed AL, CT, MA, ME, MI, NH, VT
Potamogeton illinoensis Potamogetonaceae Illinois Pondweed PR
Potamogeton pectinatus Potamogetonaceae Sago Pondweed PR
Potamogeton spp. Potamogetonaceae Pondweed PR
Potentilla recta Rosaceae Sulfur Cinquefoil CO, MT, NV, OR, WA
Ranunculus lingua Greater Spearwort City of Chicago
Rorippa amphibia Water Yellowcress MA
Rumex spp. Water Dock AR
Sagittaria graminea Alismataceae Slender Arrowhead PR, WA
Sagittaria lancifolia Alismataceae Lanceleaf Arrowhead PR
Sagittaria latifolia Alismataceae Common Arrowhead PR
Sagittaria sagittifolia Alismataceae Arrowhead FED; DE, MA, NC, OK, Canada
Sagittaria spp. Alismataceae Arrowhead PR
Salvinia auriculata Salviniaceae Salvinia FED; DE, CA(q), MA, MI, VT
Salvinia biloba Salviniaceae Giant Salvinia FED; DE, MA, VT
Salvinia herzogii Salviniaceae Giant Salvinia FED; DE, MA, MI, VT
Salvinia minima Salviniaceae Water Spangles OK, Canada
Salvinia molesta Salviniaceae Giant Salvinia FED; AR, AZ, CO, DE, MA, MI, NV, OK, VT
Salvinia spp. Salviniaceae Waterfern FL (excludes S. minima ), LA, MI, NC (excludes S. minima ), PR, TX
Saururus cernuus Saururaceae Lizardstail PR
Scirpus spp. Cyperaceae Bulrush PR
Solanum carolinense Solanaceae Horsenettle AZ, AR, AK, CA, HI, IA, MI, NV
Solanum elaeagnifolium Solanaceae White Horsenettle AR, MI, NV
Solanum nigrum Solanaceae Black Nightshade CO, MI
Solanum tampicense Solanaceae Wetland Nightshade FED; DE, MA, MI
Sparganium erectum Sparganiaceae Exotic Bur Reed FED; DE, FL, MA
Spartina alterniflora Poaceae Smooth Cordgrass OR, WA
Spartina anglica Poaceae Common Cordgrass OR, WA
Spartina densiflora Poaceae Spartina… OR, WA
Spartina patens Poaceae Saltmeadow Cordgrass OR, WA
Spirodela oligorhiza Lemnaceae Giant Duckweed TX
Spirodela polyrhiza Lemnaceae Giant Duckweed LA, PR
Stachys floridana Lamiaceae Florida Betony NC
Stratiotes aloides Hydrocharitaceae Water-aloe AL, FL, SC
Thalia geniculata Marantaceae Bent Alligator-Flag PR
Trapa natans Trapaceae Water Chestnut AL, AZ, CT, FL, MA, ME, MI, NH, OK, SC, VT, WA, City of Chicago, Canada
Trapa spp. Trapaceae Water Chestnut FL, LA, MI, NC
Typha spp. Typhaceae Cattail PR
Utricularia foliosa Lentibulariaceae Leafy Bladderwort PR
Utricularia inflata Lentibulariaceae Swollen Bladderwort WA
Utricularia spp. Lentibulariaceae Bladderwort PR
Zizania aquatica Poaceae Annual Wildrice PR
NOTES
FED = Federal Noxious Weed List (entries are highlighted)
p = permit required
q = quarantine required
Compiled from Federal and State confirmed lists, available online or provided by State agencies via fax. See accompanying "State & Federal Contacts" for details
Currently accepted names are from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database, USDA, ARS, USDA Plants Database, and Weed Science Society of America Composite List of Weeds
List excludes weeds designated as "Control is county option"
FL list provided by their Department of Environmental Protection
FL, NC, SC (as well as many other states) also adopt the list of Federal Noxious Weeds
MN also adopts the list of Federal Parasitic & Terrestrial Noxious Weeds
PR (Puerto Rico) is also regulated as a state and is included in the online edition
For information on locating current and accurate information about invasive aquatic plants
read the accompanying "Forever Pondering" article in the Jan/Feb 2002 issue of magazine
This list is available at www.pondkeeper.com
Please send updates to or 814-695-1722 fax
Compiled by
Kelly Billing, Nursery Manager, Maryland Aquatic Nursery
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