PlantLegitTexas: invasive & noxious plant laws
Texas Agriculture Code ch. 71, subch. D requires TDA to publish a list of noxious and invasive plants; the list is the figure attached to 4 Tex. Admin. Code § 19.300(a). Under § 19.300(b) and Agric. Code § 71.152 it is an offense to sell, distribute or import a listed plant into Texas in any live form unless permitted by TDA or Texas Parks and Wildlife (Parks & Wildlife Code § 66.007). TPWD separately keeps a prohibited exotic aquatic plant list. Transcribed from TDA's PDF of the figure. Re-checked line by line on 2026-10-14 against TDA's PDF of the figure (26 noxious and 6 invasive entries) and the Texas Register copy of the March 2013 amendment (38 TexReg 1356, 1386). Current synonyms added in parentheses.
Official sources
- TDA figure: 4 TAC § 19.300(a) list (PDF)
- 4 Tex. Admin. Code § 19.300 (rule text)
- TDA — Noxious and Invasive Plants
- TPWD prohibited exotic aquatic plants
- Texas Register 38 TexReg 1386 (Mar. 1, 2013), figure as adopted
- Federal Noxious Weed List, 7 CFR § 360.200 (USDA APHIS) — applies in every state
Noxious plant (4 TAC § 19.300(a)) (26)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Alternanthera philoxeroides | alligatorweed |
| Cardiospermum halicacabum | balloonvine |
| Schinus terebinthifolius | Brazilian peppertree |
| Orobanche ramosa (syn. Phelipanche ramosa) | broomrape |
| Alhagi camelorum (syn. A. maurorum) | camelthorn |
| Triadica sebifera (syn. Sapium sebiferum) | Chinese tallow tree |
| Myriophyllum spicatum | Eurasian watermilfoil |
| Spirodela oligorrhiza (syn. Landoltia punctata) | giant duckweed |
| Arundo donax | giant reed |
| Calystegia sepium | hedge bindweed (a U.S. native) |
| Hydrilla verticillata | hydrilla |
| Rottboellia cochinchinensis | itchgrass |
| Cuscuta japonica | Japanese dodder |
| Pueraria montana var. lobata | kudzu |
| Lagarosiphon major | lagarosiphon |
| Melaleuca quinquenervia | paperbark |
| Lythrum salicaria | purple loosestrife |
| Eichhornia azurea (syn. Pontederia azurea) | rooted waterhyacinth |
| Tamarix spp. | saltcedar |
| Salvinia spp. | salvinia |
| Nassella trichotoma (syn. Stipa trichotoma) | serrated tussock |
| Panicum repens | torpedograss |
| Solanum viarum | tropical soda apple |
| Ipomoea aquatica | water spinach |
| Eichhornia crassipes (syn. Pontederia crassipes) | waterhyacinth |
| Pistia stratiotes | waterlettuce |
Invasive plant (4 TAC § 19.300(a)) (6)
| Scientific name | Common name / notes |
|---|---|
| Melia azedarach | chinaberry |
| Triadica sebifera (syn. Sapium sebiferum) | Chinese tallow tree |
| Lygodium japonicum | Japanese climbing fern |
| Pueraria montana var. lobata | kudzu |
| Tamarix spp. | saltcedar |
| Solanum viarum | tropical soda apple |
Check plants against Texas 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.