PlantLegitMichigan: invasive & noxious plant laws
Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Part 413 (MCL 324.41301 et seq.), defines prohibited and restricted species; MDARD and DNR add species by Invasive Species Order. Water soldier was added by order in 2015; MDARD Invasive Species Order of May 20, 2026 added water hyacinth and water lettuce (prohibited from June 19, 2026) and callery pear, common buckthorn, glossy buckthorn and Japanese barberry (restricted from January 1, 2028). Michigan's Seed Law also lists noxious weed seeds that may not contaminate seed for sale (not shown).
Official sources
- MCL 324.41301 (definitions of prohibited and restricted species)
- MDARD — Michigan Prohibited and Restricted Weeds (PDF)
- Michigan Invasive Species — State laws and regulations (orders)
- MDARD news, May 21, 2026: six species added
- Federal Noxious Weed List, 7 CFR § 360.200 (USDA APHIS) — applies in every state
Prohibited species (NREPA Part 413, MCL 324.41301) — no possession, import, sale or introduction (15)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Cabomba caroliniana | fanwort |
| Egeria densa | Brazilian elodea |
| Fallopia japonica (syn. Reynoutria japonica), incl. hybrids Fallopia x bohemica | Japanese knotweed |
| Heracleum mantegazzianum | giant hogweed |
| Hydrilla verticillata | hydrilla |
| Hydrocharis morsus-ranae | European frogbit |
| Lagarosiphon major | African oxygen weed |
| Myriophyllum aquaticum | parrot's feather |
| Nitellopsis obtusa | starry stonewort (an alga) |
| Nymphoides peltata | yellow floating heart |
| Salvinia molesta, S. auriculata, S. biloba, S. herzogii | giant salvinia |
| Stratiotes aloides | water soldier |
| Trapa natans | water chestnut |
| Eichhornia crassipes (syn. Pontederia crassipes) | water hyacinth — prohibited from June 19, 2026 |
| Pistia stratiotes | water lettuce — prohibited from June 19, 2026 |
Restricted species (MCL 324.41301) — no introduction, import, sale or intentional propagation (10)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Butomus umbellatus | flowering rush |
| Elaeagnus umbellata | autumn olive |
| Lythrum salicaria | purple loosestrife (MDARD-approved sterile cultivars excepted) |
| Myriophyllum spicatum | Eurasian watermilfoil |
| Phragmites australis | phragmites, common reed |
| Potamogeton crispus | curly leaf pondweed |
| Pyrus calleryana | callery pear — restricted from January 1, 2028 |
| Rhamnus cathartica | common buckthorn — restricted from January 1, 2028 |
| Frangula alnus (syn. Rhamnus frangula) | glossy buckthorn — restricted from January 1, 2028 |
| Berberis thunbergii | Japanese barberry — restricted from January 1, 2028 |
Check plants against Michigan law →
Informational only, not legal advice. Lists change; always check the official source linked above before you buy, sell, plant or move a plant. Lists checked 2026-10-14.