Status of invasive plants in Maine

Maine State Law

The State of Maine enacted Title 38, Section §419-C Prevention of the spread of invasive aquatic plants in 1999. This statute provides the following prohibitions:

  1. A person may not:
    1. Transport any aquatic plant or parts of any aquatic plant, including roots, rhizomes, stems, leaves or seeds, on the outside of a vehicle, boat, personal watercraft, boat trailer or other equipment on a public road;
    2. Possess, import, cultivate, transport or distribute any invasive aquatic plant or parts of any invasive aquatic plant, including roots, rhizomes, stems, leaves or seeds, in a manner that could cause the plant to get into any state waters; or
    3. After September 1, 2000, sell or offer for sale in this State any invasive aquatic plant.

Aquatic Invasive Plants Currently Found in Maine

  1. Myriophyllum heterophyllum (Variable Milfoil) is currently found in 20 waterways in Maine.
  2. Myriophyllum heterophyllum x. Myriophyllum Pinnatum (Variable milfoil hybrid) is currently found in 2 waterways in Maine.
  3. Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrilla) is currently found in 1 waterway in Maine.
  4. Potamogeton Crispus (Curly-leaved Pondweed) is currently found in 1 waterway in Maine.
  5. Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian Watermilfoil) is currently found in 1 waterway in Maine.

    6. Please visit the Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection web site for location information on these species.

    Maine’s most Problematic Terrestrial Invasive Plant Species

    1. Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
    2. Morrow and Tartarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii and Lonicera tartarica)
    3. Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
    4. Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
    5. Common Reed (Phragmites australis)
    6. Common and Glossy Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica and Frangula alnus)
    7. Asiatic Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculata)
    8. Multiflora or Rambler Rose (Rosa multiflora)
    9. Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
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