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Is Golden bamboo illegal in Maine?
Sources (6)
- Maine DACF — Do Not Sell invasive plant list – Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
- 01-001 CMR ch. 273 § III (LII) – Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
- Maine DACF handout (PDF, 2024) – Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
- 38 M.R.S. § 410-N invasive aquatic plants (Maine Legislature)
- 38 M.R.S. § 419-C prohibitions – Maine Legislature
- Maine DEP — invasive aquatic plants – Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry
Also called: fishpole bamboo, Phyllostachys aurea. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-14.
Federal noxious weed list (7 CFR 360.200): Golden bamboo is not listed.
What Maine's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do Not Sell list (01-001 CMR ch. 273) — no import, export, buying, selling or propagating for sale; includes all cultivars, varieties and hybrids | Phyllostachys aurea | golden bamboo (2024) | Yes — listed as prohibited |
Effective dates
- 2024 (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 Maine
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
- Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)
- Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
- Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Each is recorded as native to Maine 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.
Running bamboo in Virginia: see Virginia running bamboo law — local containment ordinances, fines and who pays.
More native swaps with hardiness, light and size →
Golden bamboo in other states
Maryland New Jersey New York Virginia
See every plant on Maine'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.