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Is Purple loosestrife illegal in Missouri?
Sources (4)
- 2 CSR 70-45 Noxious Weed Rules (Missouri SOS, PDF) – Missouri Secretary of State (CSR)
- RSMo § 263.190 (Missouri Revisor)
- Missouri Dept. of Agriculture — noxious weed list
- RSMo § 263.070 (nursery dealer affidavit; Callery pear, burning bush, Japanese honeysuckle and others) – Missouri Revisor of Statutes
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 Missouri's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noxious weed (2 CSR 70-45.005) — sale prohibited (RSMo § 263.190.4); owners must control | Lythrum salicaria | purple loosestrife, and any hybrids | 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 Missouri
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata)
- Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
- Sweet Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Each is recorded as native to Missouri 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 Michigan Minnesota 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 Missouri'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.