MDARD updates invasive species list

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]While they may be pretty looking, these six plants are now illegal in the state of Michigan. Now, you may be wondering, "Micah, how can plants be illegal?

[00:00:08]They're plants."

[00:00:09]>> Well, it all comes after the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development put these six plants on the invasive species list. Now, they include the common buckthorn, the glossy buckthorn, the calorie pear, the Japanese barberry, water hyacinth, and water lettuce. Now, that just means it is illegal to introduce, import, sell, possess with intent to distribute, or intentionally grow them.

[00:00:35]Now, the common buckthorn, the glossy buckthorn, and the calorie pear, and the Japanese barberry, that restrictive list begins on January 1, 2028. And the water hyacinth and the water lettuce, well, that's an earlier date, June 19th, 2026.

[00:00:52]That is that one's restrictive date.