HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has added three plants to a list of noxious weeds, which are plants that cannot be legally sold or grown in the state.
Ravenna grass, glossy buckthorn, and common buckthorn are all prohibited to be sold or grown in the state as of April 5, 2022.
According to a release from the department, enforcement will be phased in over the next year.
“Pennsylvania is working to repair the damage done by plants that were introduced to our landscape decades ago without foresight into how they might harm our environment and food supply,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Banning the sale of invasive plants and educating homeowners and consumers to plant native species today are both vital for protecting our environment, our food supply and our economy tomorrow.”
The release also says that property owners should consider eliminating these plants and seek native alternatives when choosing plants for landscaping.
Ravenna grass is also known as hardy pampas grass. It’s a six-foot tall, perennial, ornamental grass that’s commonly sold in nurseries. It spreads rapidly, choking out native plants.
Common buckthorn is a tree that can grow up to 22 feet high, with dark green leaves and berries. It forms dense thickets, which chokes out native ecosystems. The Department of Agriculture says it is not sold commercially.
Glossy buckthorn is a smaller tree or shrub. Birds eat the berries, which spreads the plant. The department says it aggressively spreads in wetlands, choking out native plant and animal habitats. A specific variety of non-harmful glossy buckthorn is available for sale by plant breeders. The breeders who grow varieties that are sterile will have to go through an exemption process to be considered for exemption from the ban. The ban on glossy buckthorn sale will start in 2023.
Merchants are asked to contact ra-plant@pa.gov with any questions.
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