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Is Purple loosestrife illegal in Michigan?
Sources (4)
- MCL 324.41301 (definitions of prohibited and restricted species) – Michigan Legislature
- MDARD — Michigan Prohibited and Restricted Weeds (PDF) – Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (Michigan.gov)
- Michigan Invasive Species — State laws and regulations (orders) – Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (Michigan.gov)
- MDARD news, May 21, 2026: six species added – Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (Michigan.gov)
Also called: Lythrum salicaria. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-14.
Federal noxious weed list (7 CFR 360.200): Purple loosestrife is not listed.
What Michigan's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted species (MCL 324.41301) — no introduction, import, sale or intentional propagation | Lythrum salicaria | purple loosestrife (MDARD-approved sterile cultivars excepted) | Yes — listed as prohibited |
Effective dates
- The official list entry does not state a separate effective date for this species. See the linked law for when the listing took effect.
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 Michigan
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata)
- Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
- Sweet Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
- Northern blue flag (Iris versicolor)
Each is recorded as native to Michigan 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 →
Purple loosestrife in other states
Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Idaho Illinois Louisiana Maine Massachusetts Minnesota Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
See every plant on Michigan'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.