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Is Purple loosestrife illegal in Oklahoma?
Sources (5)
- Oklahoma Noxious Weed Law, 2 O.S. § 3-220 (ODAFF, PDF) – Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry
- OAC 35:30-25-4 Limitations on noxious weed seeds – Justia Regulations (state rule text)
- OAC 35:30-37-10 and 35:30-37-13 (ODAFF Horticulture Law & Rules, rev. July 2025, PDF) — no propagating or selling noxious aquatic plants or federal noxious weeds, incl. sterile Imperata cylindrica – Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry
- OAC 800:20-3-2 — List of declared noxious aquatic plant species (21 species) – Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute
- 29 O.S. § 6-601 — controls on noxious aquatic plants (Oklahoma Statutes Title 29, PDF) – oksenate.gov
Also called: Lythrum salicaria. Last checked against official sources: 2026-10-15.
Federal noxious weed list (7 CFR 360.200): Purple loosestrife is not listed.
What Oklahoma's official list says
| List / legal category | Listed as | List note | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noxious aquatic plant (OAC 800:20-3-2) — may not be knowingly propagated, sold or offered for sale (OAC 35:30-37-10); no importing, transporting, or placing or cultivating it in state waters (29 O.S. § 6-601) | Lythrum salicaria | purple loosestrife | 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 Oklahoma
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
- Sweet Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Each is recorded as native to Oklahoma 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 Iowa Louisiana Maine Massachusetts Michigan 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 Oklahoma'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.