Invasive plants regulated in Massachusetts (144 species, cited)

Invasive plants regulated in Massachusetts

Massachusetts regulates 144 invasive plants under Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List (MDAR), M.G.L. c.128 ss.2, 16-31A. The table below reproduces that list in full, showing each plant's status in the state's own words. Massachusetts's list is a trade restriction, which governs what may be sold, propagated, or moved within the state.

Compiled from the rule itself, retrieved July 20, 2026. Law changes; if you spot a listing we have wrong or stale, tell us at [email protected].

6 of these listings are phasing in. The species is named in the rule, but the sale ban has not taken effect yet, so Massachusetts nurseries may still legally sell it today. The dates are shown in the table.

9 of these plants are native to part of the United States, marked US native below. Nativity is regional. Black locust is native to the Appalachians and regulated in New England; Palmer amaranth is native to the Southwest and listed as an agricultural weed in the Corn Belt. A listing tells you what Massachusetts regulates, not where a plant belongs. The county checker answers the second question.

Regulated and invasive are two different findings, and this page shows them separately. 100 of the 144 plants below carry both: Massachusetts names them in statute and GRIIS lists them as invasive in the United States. The other 44 are regulated by Massachusetts without appearing on that register. The reverse is far more common still: most plants GRIIS calls invasive are named in no state’s statute at all and are sold freely, so an absent chip is never a clean bill of health.

Plant	Scientific name	Status	Massachusetts’s determination
African Boxthorn	Lycium ferocissimum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists African Boxthorn as a prohibited plant.
African Couchgrass	Digitaria abyssinica	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists African Couchgrass as a prohibited plant.
African Feathergrass	Pennisetum macrourum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists African Feathergrass as a prohibited plant.
Amur Corktree	Phellodendron amurense	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Amur Corktree as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Shingle Oak, Sweet Birch, Western Catalpa
Amur Honeysuckle	Lonicera maackii	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Amur Honeysuckle as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Hercules's Club, Bog Birch, Common Witch Hazel
Amur Silvergrass	Miscanthus sacchariflorus	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Amur Silvergrass as a prohibited plant.
Anchored Water Hyacinth	Eichhornia azurea	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Anchored Water Hyacinth as a prohibited plant.
Animated Oat	Avena sterilis	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Animated Oat as a prohibited plant.
Argentine Screwbean	Prosopis strombulifera	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Argentine Screwbean as a prohibited plant.
Arrowhead	Sagittaria sagittifolia	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Arrowhead as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Hairy Lespedeza, American Black Elderberry
Arrowleaf Falsepickerelweed	Monochoria hastata	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Arrowleaf Falsepickerelweed as a prohibited plant.
Asian Marshweed	Limnophila sessiliflora	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Asian Marshweed as a prohibited plant.
Asiatic Tearthumb	Polygonum perfoliatum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Asiatic Tearthumb as a prohibited plant.
Autumn Olive	Elaeagnus umbellata	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Autumn Olive as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Chokecherry, Red-Barked Dogwood, Redosier Dogwood
Bishop's Goutweed	Aegopodium podagraria	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Bishop's Goutweed as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Wild Sarsaparilla, Jack in the Pulpit, Bristlystalked Sedge
Black Alder	Alnus glutinosa	Prohibited Invasive phasing in	Massachusetts lists Black Alder as a prohibited plant.propagation December 9, 2025 · sale January 1, 2029Plant instead: Shingle Oak, Sweet Birch, Western Catalpa
Black Locust US native	Robinia pseudoacacia	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Black Locust as a prohibited plant.
Blackberry	Rubus fruticosus	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Blackberry as a prohibited plant.
Blueberry Creeper	Ampelopsis brevipedunculata	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Blueberry Creeper as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Common Witch Hazel, Canadian Serviceberry, Summersweet
Border Privet	Ligustrum obtusifolium	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Border Privet as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Bushy St. Johnswort, New York Ironweed
Brazilian Satintail	Imperata brasiliensis	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Brazilian Satintail as a prohibited plant.
Brazilian Waterweed	Egeria densa	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Brazilian Waterweed as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Star Sedge, Inland Sedge, Bottle Gentian
Brittle Waternymph	Najas minor	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Brittle Waternymph as a prohibited plant.
Broadleaved Pepperweed	Lepidium latifolium	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Broadleaved Pepperweed as a prohibited plant.
Brownbeard Rice	Oryza rufipogon	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Brownbeard Rice as a prohibited plant.
Burning Bush	Euonymus alatus	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Burning Bush as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: New York Ironweed, Hairy Lespedeza, American Black Elderberry
Callery Pear	Pyrus calleryana	Prohibited Invasive phasing in	Massachusetts lists Callery Pear as a prohibited plant.propagation September 20, 2024 · sale January 1, 2029Plant instead: Western Catalpa, Paper Birch, Cockspur Hawthorn
Carolina Fanwort US native	Cabomba caroliniana	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Carolina Fanwort as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Star Sedge, Inland Sedge, Bottle Gentian
Cattail Grass	Setaria pumila subsp. pallidefusca	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Cattail Grass as a prohibited plant.
Chinese Sprangletop	Leptochloa chinensis	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Chinese Sprangletop as a prohibited plant.
Coatbuttons	Tridax procumbens	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Coatbuttons as a prohibited plant.
Codlins and Cream	Epilobium hirsutum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Codlins and Cream as a prohibited plant.
Coltsfoot	Tussilago farfara	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Coltsfoot as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Bluebead, Marsh Bellflower, Gray Goldenrod
Common Barberry	Berberis vulgaris	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Common Barberry as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Hairy Lespedeza, American Black Elderberry, Inkberry
Common Buckthorn	Rhamnus cathartica	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Common Buckthorn as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Hercules's Club, Bog Birch, Common Witch Hazel
Common Crupina	Crupina vulgaris	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Common Crupina as a prohibited plant.
Common Reed	Phragmites australis	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Common Reed as a prohibited plant.
Creeping Buttercup	Ranunculus repens	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Creeping Buttercup as a prohibited plant.
Creeping Jenny	Lysimachia nummularia	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Creeping Jenny as a prohibited plant.
Curly Pondweed	Potamogeton crispus	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Curly Pondweed as a prohibited plant.
Cypress Spurge	Euphorbia cyparissias	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Cypress Spurge as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Velvet Bentgrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Blunt Spikerush
Dames Rocket	Hesperis matronalis	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Dames Rocket as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Roundleaf Goldenrod, New York Ironweed, Harvestlice
Ducklettuce	Ottelia alismoides	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Ducklettuce as a prohibited plant.
Eared Watermoss	Salvinia auriculata	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Eared Watermoss as a prohibited plant.
Eelkek	Rubus moluccanus	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Eelkek as a prohibited plant.
Eurasian Watermilfoil	Myriophyllum spicatum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Eurasian Watermilfoil as a prohibited plant.
European Swallow-Wort	Cynanchum rossicum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists European Swallow-Wort as a prohibited plant.
Feathered Mosquitofern	Azolla pinnata	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Feathered Mosquitofern as a prohibited plant.
Fig Buttercup	Ranunculus ficaria	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Fig Buttercup as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Common Selfheal, Meadow Evening Primrose, Meadow Bistort
Fineleaf Sheep Fescue	Festuca filiformis	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Fineleaf Sheep Fescue as a prohibited plant.
Flowering Rush	Butomus umbellatus	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Flowering Rush as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Hairy Lespedeza, American Black Elderberry
Forget-Me-Not	Myosotis scorpioides	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Forget-Me-Not as a prohibited plant.
Garlic Mustard	Alliaria petiolata	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Garlic Mustard as a prohibited plant.
Giant False Sensitive Plant	Mimosa diplotricha	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Giant False Sensitive Plant as a prohibited plant.
Giant Hogweed	Heracleum mantegazzianum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Giant Hogweed as a prohibited plant.
Giant Salvinia	Salvinia biloba	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Giant Salvinia as a prohibited plant.
Giant Salvinia	Salvinia herzogii	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Giant Salvinia as a prohibited plant.
Glossy Buckthorn	Frangula alnus	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Glossy Buckthorn as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Common Witch Hazel, Canadian Serviceberry, Speckled Alder
Golden False Beardgrass	Chrysopogon aciculatus	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Golden False Beardgrass as a prohibited plant.
Great Yellowcress	Rorippa amphibia	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Great Yellowcress as a prohibited plant.
Heartleaf Hempvine	Mikania cordata	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Heartleaf Hempvine as a prohibited plant.
Heartshape False Pickerelweed	Monochoria vaginalis	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Heartshape False Pickerelweed as a prohibited plant.
Horned Poppy	Glaucium flavum	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Horned Poppy as a prohibited plant.
Indian Swampweed	Hygrophila polysperma	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Indian Swampweed as a prohibited plant.
Itchgrass	Rottboellia cochinchinensis	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Itchgrass as a prohibited plant.
Japanese Angelica Tree	Aralia elata	Prohibited Invasive phasing in	Massachusetts lists Japanese Angelica Tree as a prohibited plant.propagation May 12, 2026 · sale May 12, 2029Plant instead: American Plum, Climbing Rose, Roundleaf Serviceberry
Japanese Barberry	Berberis thunbergii	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Japanese Barberry as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Bushy St. Johnswort, New York Ironweed
Japanese Black Pine	Pinus thunbergii	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Japanese Black Pine as a prohibited plant.
Japanese Honeysuckle	Lonicera japonica	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Japanese Honeysuckle as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Roundleaf Goldenrod, New York Ironweed
Japanese Hop	Humulus japonicus	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Japanese Hop as a prohibited plant.
Japanese Knotweed	Fallopia japonica (potentially invasive weed)	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Japanese Knotweed as a prohibited plant.
Japanese Sedge	Carex kobomugi	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Japanese Sedge as a prohibited plant.
Jetbead	Rhodotypos scandens	Prohibited Invasive phasing in	Massachusetts lists Jetbead as a prohibited plant.propagation December 9, 2025 · sale January 1, 2028
Jeweled Distaff Thistle	Carthamus oxyacanthus	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Jeweled Distaff Thistle as a prohibited plant.
Jio	Commelina benghalensis	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Jio as a prohibited plant.
Kariba-Weed	Salvinia molesta	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Kariba-Weed as a prohibited plant.
Kiawe	Prosopis pallida	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Kiawe as a prohibited plant.
Kikuyugrass	Pennisetum clandestinum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Kikuyugrass as a prohibited plant.
Killer Alga	Caulerpa taxifolia	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Killer Alga as a prohibited plant.
Kodomillet	Paspalum scrobiculatum	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Kodomillet as a prohibited plant.
Kudzu	Pueraria montana	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Kudzu as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Hercules's Club, Bog Birch, American Plum
Kyasuma Grass	Pennisetum pedicellatum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Kyasuma Grass as a prohibited plant.
Large Gray Willow	Salix cinerea	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Large Gray Willow as a prohibited plant.
Large Gray Willow	Salix atrocinerea	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Large Gray Willow as a prohibited plant.
Leafy Spurge	Euphorbia esula	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Leafy Spurge as a prohibited plant.
Lollipop Mimosa US native	Mimosa pellita	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Lollipop Mimosa as a prohibited plant.
Longstamen Rice	Oryza longistaminata	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Longstamen Rice as a prohibited plant.
Louise's Swallow-Wort	Cynanchum louiseae	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Louise's Swallow-Wort as a prohibited plant.
Maiden Grass	Miscanthus sinensis	Prohibited Invasive phasing in	Massachusetts lists Maiden Grass as a prohibited plant.propagation December 9, 2025 · sale January 1, 2027
Malabar Melastome US native	Melastoma malabathricum	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Malabar Melastome as a prohibited plant.
Mile-A-Minute	Mikania micrantha	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Mile-A-Minute as a prohibited plant.
Mission Grass	Pennisetum polystachion	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Mission Grass as a prohibited plant.
Morrow's Honeysuckle	Lonicera morrowii	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Morrow's Honeysuckle as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Bushy St. Johnswort, New York Ironweed
Multiflora Rose	Rosa multiflora	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Multiflora Rose as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Hairy Lespedeza, American Black Elderberry
Narrowleaf Bittercress	Cardamine impatiens	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Narrowleaf Bittercress as a prohibited plant.
Nepalese Browntop	Microstegium vimineum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Nepalese Browntop as a prohibited plant.
Norway Maple	Acer platanoides	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Norway Maple as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Atlantic White Cedar, Eastern Redcedar, American Arborvitae
Onionweed	Asphodelus fistulosus	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Onionweed as a prohibited plant.
Oriental Bittersweet	Celastrus orbiculatus	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Oriental Bittersweet as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Common Witch Hazel, Canadian Serviceberry, Summersweet
Oxygen-Weed	Lagarosiphon major	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Oxygen-Weed as a prohibited plant.
Paleyellow Iris	Iris pseudacorus	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Paleyellow Iris as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Hairy Lespedeza, American Black Elderberry
Panic Liverseed Grass	Urochloa panicoides	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Panic Liverseed Grass as a prohibited plant.
Parrot Feather Watermilfoil	Myriophyllum aquaticum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Parrot Feather Watermilfoil as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Velvet Bentgrass, Little Green Sedge, Lopsided Rush
Professor-Weed	Galega officinalis	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Professor-Weed as a prohibited plant.
Purple Loosestrife	Lythrum salicaria	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Purple Loosestrife as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Hairy Lespedeza, American Black Elderberry
Red Rice	Oryza punctata	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Red Rice as a prohibited plant.
Reed Canarygrass US native	Phalaris arundinacea	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Reed Canarygrass as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Coast Cockspur Grass, Common Rush, Western Brackenfern
Ribbed Murainagrass	Ischaemum rugosum	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Ribbed Murainagrass as a prohibited plant.
Sandwort Drymary	Drymaria arenarioides	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Sandwort Drymary as a prohibited plant.
Sapphire-Berry	Symplocos paniculata	Prohibited phasing in	Massachusetts lists Sapphire-Berry as a prohibited plant.propagation May 12, 2026 · sale May 12, 2028
Scotch Broom	Cytisus scoparius	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Scotch Broom as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Hairy Lespedeza, American Black Elderberry
Scrambling Nightshade	Solanum tampicense	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Scrambling Nightshade as a prohibited plant.
Serrated Tussock	Nassella trichotoma	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Serrated Tussock as a prohibited plant.
Sessile Joyweed	Alternanthera sessilis	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Sessile Joyweed as a prohibited plant.
Showy Fly Honeysuckle	Lonicera x bella	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Showy Fly Honeysuckle as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Bushy St. Johnswort, New York Ironweed
Shrubby Russian Thistle	Salsola vermiculata	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Shrubby Russian Thistle as a prohibited plant.
Simplestem Bur-Reed	Sparganium erectum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Simplestem Bur-Reed as a prohibited plant.
Small Carpetgrass	Arthraxon hispidus	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Small Carpetgrass as a prohibited plant.
Southern Threecornerjack	Emex australis	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Southern Threecornerjack as a prohibited plant.
Spiny Threecornerjack	Emex spinosa	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Spiny Threecornerjack as a prohibited plant.
Spotted Knapweed	Centaurea stoebe subsp. micranthos	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Spotted Knapweed as a prohibited plant.
Sticky Snakeroot	Ageratina adenophora	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Sticky Snakeroot as a prohibited plant.
Stinking Willie	Senecio jacobaea	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Stinking Willie as a prohibited plant.
Swamp Morning-Glory	Ipomoea aquatica	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Swamp Morning-Glory as a prohibited plant.
Sycamore Maple	Acer pseudoplatanus	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Sycamore Maple as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Atlantic White Cedar, Eastern Redcedar, American Arborvitae
Tatarian Honeysuckle	Lonicera tatarica	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Tatarian Honeysuckle as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Crimsoneyed Rosemallow, Hairy Lespedeza, American Black Elderberry
Tiger-Pear	Opuntia aurantiaca	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Tiger-Pear as a prohibited plant.
Tornillo US native	Prosopis reptans	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Tornillo as a prohibited plant.
Tree of Heaven	Ailanthus altissima	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Tree of Heaven as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Shingle Oak, Sweet Birch, Western Catalpa
Tropical Soda Apple	Solanum viarum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Tropical Soda Apple as a prohibited plant.
Turkey Berry	Solanum torvum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Turkey Berry as a prohibited plant.
Twoleaf Watermilfoil US native	Myriophyllum heterophyllum	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Twoleaf Watermilfoil as a prohibited plant.
Variegated Water Grass	Glyceria maxima 'Variegata'	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Variegated Water Grass as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Coast Cockspur Grass, Common Rush, Stalked Bulrush
Velvet Crabgrass	Digitaria velutina	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Velvet Crabgrass as a prohibited plant.
Velvet Mesquite US native	Prosopis velutina	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Velvet Mesquite as a prohibited plant.
Wall-Lettuce	Mycelis muralis	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Wall-Lettuce as a prohibited plant.
Water Chestnut	Trapa natans	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Water Chestnut as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Velvet Bentgrass, Little Green Sedge, Lopsided Rush
Waterthyme	Hydrilla verticillata	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Waterthyme as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Star Sedge, Inland Sedge, Bottle Gentian
Weeping Lovegrass	Eragrostis curvula	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Weeping Lovegrass as a prohibited plant.
Wild Chervil	Anthriscus sylvestris	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Wild Chervil as a prohibited plant.
Wild Sugarcane US native	Saccharum spontaneum	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Wild Sugarcane as a prohibited plant.
Wine Raspberry	Rubus phoenicolasius	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Wine Raspberry as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Black Raspberry, Carolina Rose, Purpleflowering Raspberry
Winged False Buttonweed	Spermacoce alata	Prohibited	Massachusetts lists Winged False Buttonweed as a prohibited plant.
Yellow Floatingheart	Nymphoides peltata	Prohibited Invasive	Massachusetts lists Yellow Floatingheart as a prohibited plant.Plant instead: Nodding Lady's Tresses, Pale Purple Coneflower, Bluebead

What the tags mean

Prohibited Restricted Listed

A legal status. Massachusetts names the plant in statute. Under a nursery rule that means it may not be sold, propagated, or moved; under an agricultural weed law it means landowners must control it. The cited rule says which, in Massachusetts’s own words, in the last column.

Invasive

An ecological finding, and a different question from the law. GRIIS — the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species — lists the plant as invasive in the United States. Most invasive plants carry no state listing at all and are sold freely, so a plant without this tag is not thereby safe, and a plant without a legal chip is not thereby harmless.

Where this comes from

Massachusetts listings: Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List (MDAR), M.G.L. c.128 ss.2, 16-31A. Read the rule.
Invasive status: GRIIS, the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species, via GBIF. A scientific register with no legal force; it is cited separately from the statute above because the two disagree far more often than they agree.
Status wording: Each determination is written as a sentence, with Massachusetts’s own term for the plant reproduced verbatim inside it. The Prohibited / Restricted / Listed chips are Ezina’s normalisation across 42 states and are not the legal term.
Nativity: USDA PLANTS county distribution layer, surfaced through the county checker.

Regulated next door, but not in Massachusetts

Plants that two or more states bordering Massachusetts regulate, and Massachusetts does not. A listing is a legal act rather than an ecological one, so a plant can be a documented problem here and still be sold here.

Giant Knotweed Polygonum sachalinense regulated in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York
Common Frogbit Hydrocharis morsus-ranae regulated in New York, Vermont
Cup Plant Silphium perfoliatum regulated in Connecticut, New York

Questions

What plants are illegal to sell in Massachusetts?

144 plants are regulated under Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List (MDAR), M.G.L. c.128 ss.2, 16-31A. Plants marked Prohibited may not be sold, propagated, or moved within Massachusetts. Plants marked Restricted carry narrower limits set by the rule.

Is my plant invasive in Massachusetts?

Search the table on this page, or enter the plant's name in Ezina's checker to get its Massachusetts status alongside whether USDA records it as native to your specific county. Every answer links the record it came from.

Does a plant missing from this list mean it is safe to plant in Massachusetts?

No. This page reproduces what Massachusetts regulates, and a state list is a legal instrument rather than an ecological verdict. Plenty of plants spread aggressively without ever being listed, and states add species years after the problem is documented.

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