Is it illegal? › Common buckthorn

Where is Common buckthorn illegal? State-by-state

Also called: European buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica. 15 state lists in our data name it. Checked 2026-10-14.

State	Status	Official list
Connecticut	Yes — listed as prohibited	Prohibited invasive plant (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-381d); Scheduled prohibition (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-381d(b)(3)–(5))
Illinois	Yes — listed as prohibited	Exotic weed (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1100.30, Illinois Exotic Weed Act)
Indiana	Yes — listed as prohibited	Prohibited invasive terrestrial plant (312 IAC 18-3-25)
Iowa	Not a sale ban — control-only list	Primary noxious weed (Iowa Code § 317.1A), control list
Massachusetts	Yes — listed as prohibited	Prohibited plant (MDAR Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List)
Michigan	Restricted on a phase-in schedule	Restricted species (MCL 324.41301)
Minnesota	Yes — listed as prohibited	Restricted noxious weed (MDA list)
Montana	Not a sale ban — control-only list	Priority 2A noxious weed (ARM 4.5.208), control list
New Hampshire	Yes — listed as prohibited	Prohibited invasive plant (N.H. Admin. R. Agr 3802.01)
New Jersey	Restricted on a phase-in schedule	Prohibited invasive species (Invasive Species Management Act, 2026)
New York	Yes — listed as prohibited	Prohibited (6 NYCRR 575.3)
Ohio	Yes — listed as prohibited	Invasive plant (OAC 901:5-30-01)
Pennsylvania	Yes — listed as prohibited	Class B noxious weed (PDA Controlled Plant & Noxious Weed List, 3 Pa.C.S. § 1511)
Vermont	Yes — listed as prohibited	Quarantine List Tier 3 (widespread in VT)
Wisconsin	Yes — listed as prohibited	Restricted invasive plant (NR 40)

States not shown: we found no listing for Common buckthorn in the state lists PlantLegit currently tracks. That is not confirmation it is legal there; lists change and some states add plants by separate rule. Check your state agency. Federal list (7 CFR 360.200): not listed. Not legal advice.