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Is Common buckthorn illegal in Connecticut?
Sources (1)
Also called: European buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-14.
Federal noxious weed list (7 CFR 360.200): Common buckthorn is not listed.
What Connecticut's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibited invasive plant (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-381d) — no import, move, sale, purchase, transplanting, cultivation or distribution | Rhamnus cathartica | common buckthorn | Yes — listed as prohibited |
| Scheduled prohibition (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22a-381d(b)(3)–(5)) — legal to sell until the date shown | Rhamnus cathartica | European buckthorn — prohibited from Oct 1, 2028 | Restricted on a phase-in schedule |
Effective dates
- prohibited from Oct 1, 2028 (from the official list entry)
Already have it in your yard?
Most state invasive-plant laws, including the list wording above, target selling, distributing, propagating or planting. They generally do not order you to remove a plant already in your yard, but some noxious-weed laws do require control. Read the linked law or ask your county Extension office.
Native alternatives for Connecticut
- Pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia)
- Blackhaw viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium)
- American witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
- Canadian serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
- Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Each is recorded as native to Connecticut in the USDA NRCS PLANTS Database state distribution (retrieved 2026-10-14). Check size, sun and soil fit for your site with your local Extension office.
More native swaps with hardiness, light and size →
Common buckthorn in other states
Illinois Indiana Iowa Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Montana New Hampshire New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania Vermont Wisconsin
See every plant on Connecticut's invasive & noxious plant lists, or check any plant.
Not legal advice. PlantLegit summarizes official lists and links the source. Laws change, local (county/city) rules may add restrictions, and the official text controls. "What it means" is our plain-English label; read the exact list wording. Confirm with the agency before buying, selling or removing plants. Full disclaimer.