Prevent the spread of invasive plants

INDIANA – As the weather warms, many people take to the woods and trails to pursue turkeys, forage for wild edibles, or add new species to their bird lists.

While most of these activities are seemingly low in impact on the environment, they can be a major contributor to the spread of invasive plant species. Invasive species are those that are not native to the area in question and have caused or are likely to cause environmental, human health, or financial harm.

Mud on boots, plant material in the cuffs of pants, and burrs on your clothes or pet’s hair are ways that plants, including invasive species, move around. Prevent the spread of invasive species by removing plants, seeds, and mud from your boots, gear, pets, and vehicles before entering the recreation site. Repeat these steps before you hop in your vehicle to go home. Taking these small extra steps will help our wildlife and their native habitats thrive.

DNR is seeking sighting information for invasive species in Indiana. If you believe you have spotted an invasive species, report it and, if possible, get pictures to assist in expert identification.

• Report species to:
  • EDDMapS website 
  • The GLEDN app: Apple iOS  | Android 
• Discuss terrestrial invasive species:
  • Phone: 1-866 NO EXOTIC (1-866-663-9684)
  • E-mail: depp@dnr.IN.gov

Terrestrial Plant Rule

The Terrestrial Plant Rule (312 IAC 18-3-25) designates 44 species of plants as invasive pests. This rule makes it illegal to sell, gift, barter, exchange, distribute, transport, or introduce these plants in the State of Indiana. Learn what you need to know in the Terrestrial Plant Rule Brochure.

This rule went into effect April 18, 2019 .

Plant species already in trade will be prohibited from sale one year later (April 18, 2020).

Common Name	Scientific Name	Information
Amur cork tree	Phellodendron amurense	Species Information
Amur honeysuckle	Lonicera maacki	Species Information
Asian bittersweet	Celastrus orbiculatus	Species Information
autumn olive	Elaeagnus umbellata	Species Information
Bell’s honeysuckle	Lonicera x bella	Species Information
black alder	Alnus glutinosa	Species Information
black swallow-wort	Vincetoxicum nigrum	Species Information
blunt-leaved privet	Ligustrum obtusifolium	Species Information
Bohemian knotweed	Reynoutria x bohemica	Species Information
bull thistle	Cirsium vulgare	Species Information
Chinese yam	Dioscorea polystachya (oppositifolia)	Species Information
common buckthorn	Rhamnus cathartica	Species Information
common teasel	Dipsacus fullonum	Species Information
common/giant reed	Phragmites australis subspp. Australis	Species Profile
crown vetch	Coronilla varia (Syn: Securigera varia)	Species Information
cut-leaved teasel	Dipsacus laciniatus	Species Information
dame’s rocket	Hesperis matronalis	Species Information
field bindweed	Convolvulus arvensis	Species Information
garlic mustard	Alliaria petiolata	Species Information
giant knotweed	Reynoutria sachalinensis	Species Information
glossy buckthorn	Frangula alnus	Species Information
Japanese barberry	Berberis thunbergii	Species Information
Japanese chaff flower	Achyranthes japonica	Species Information
Japanese honeysuckle	Lonicera japonica	Species Information
Japanese hops	Humulus japonicus	Species Information
Japanese knotweed	Reynoutria japonica (Syn: Fallopia japonica or Polygonum cuspidatum)	Species Information
Japanese stiltgrass	Microstegium vimineum	Species Information
leafy spurge	Euphorbia esula	Species Information
mile-a-minute vine	Persicaria perfoliata (basionym Polygonum perfoliatum)	Species Information
Morrow’s honeysuckle	Lonicera morrowii	Species Information
mugwort	Artemisia vulgaris	Species Information
musk thistle	Carduus nutans	Species Information
pale swallow-wort	Vincetoxicum rossicum	Species Information
pepperweed	Lepidium latifolium	Species Information
poison hemlock	Conium maculatum	Species Information
reed canarygrass	Phalaris arundinacea	Species Profile
sericea lespedeza	Lespedeza cuneata	Species Information
small carpetgrass	Arthraxon hispidus	Species Information
spiny plumeless thistle	Carduus acanthoides	Species Information
spotted knapweed	Centaurea stoebe	Species Information
Tatarian honeysuckle	Lonicera tatarica	Species Information
tree-of-heaven	Ailanthus altissima	Species Information
white mulberry	Morus alba	Species Information
wintercreeper	Euonymus fortunei	Species Information

Plants Restricted Under Other Rules

Common Name	Scientific Name	Information
kudzu	Pueraria montana	312 IAC 18-3-16, Species Page
purple loosestrife	Lythrum salicaria	312 IAC 18-3-13, Species Page
multiflora rose	Rosa multiflora	312 IAC 18-3-13

Indiana Noxious Weeds (IC 15-16-7-2)

Common Name	Scientific Name	Information
Canada thistle	Cirsium avense
burcucumber	Sicyos angulatus
Columbus grass	Sorghum almum
johnsongrass	Sorghum halepense
shattercane	Sorghum bicolor
common waterhemp	Amaranthus rudis
tall waterhemp	Amaranthus tuberculatus
marestail or horseweed	Conyza xanadensis
Palmer Amaranth	Amaranthus palmeri
poison hemlock	Conium maculatum
Powell amaranth	Amaranthus powellii
Rough pigweed	Amaranthus retroflexus
Smooth pigweed	Amaranthus hybridus