Air Yam – Dioscorea bulbifera Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Alabama county. Alabama lists Air Yam under “Class A.”
Alabama noxious weeds
Alabama (AL) lists 28 plants as noxious weeds under Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.04. Alabama's list is an agricultural noxious-weed law, which governs control and spread on farmland and rights of way rather than what a nursery may sell.
What plants are invasive in Alabama?
Alabama names 28 plants, including Purple Loosestrife, Eurasian Watermilfoil and Common Reed. A noxious-weed listing obliges control and limits movement; it does not by itself ban nursery sale. 24 of the 28 are also flagged invasive by GRIIS, which is an ecological finding rather than a ruling by Alabama. Checked against Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.04 on July 20, 2026.
Alligatorweed – Alternanthera philoxeroides IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 24 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Alligatorweed under “Class C.”
Asiatic Tearthumb – Polygonum perfoliatum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Alabama county. Alabama lists Asiatic Tearthumb under “Class A.”
Balloon Vine – Cardiospermum halicacabum IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 6 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Balloon Vine under “Class C.”
Brazilian Waterweed – Egeria densa IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 10 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Brazilian Waterweed under “Class C.”
Brittle Waternymph – Najas minor IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 9 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Brittle Waternymph under “Class C.”
Chamber Bitter – Phyllanthus urinaria IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 5 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Chamber Bitter under “Class C.”
Climbing Fern – Lygodium japonicum IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 15 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Climbing Fern under “Class B.”
Coltsfoot – Tussilago farfara Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Alabama county. Alabama lists Coltsfoot under “Class A.”
Common Reed – Phragmites australis NativeProhibited
Recorded in 5 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Common Reed under “Class C.”
Common Water Hyacinth – Eichhornia crassipes IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 8 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Common Water Hyacinth under “Class C.”
Curly Pondweed – Potamogeton crispus IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 7 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Curly Pondweed under “Class C.”
Eurasian Watermilfoil – Myriophyllum spicatum IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 6 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Eurasian Watermilfoil under “Class C.”
Garlic Mustard – Alliaria petiolata Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Alabama county. Alabama lists Garlic Mustard under “Class A.”
Hairy Crabweed – Fatoua villosa IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 13 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Hairy Crabweed under “Class C.”
Japanese Knotweed – Polygonum cuspidatum Not recorded hereProhibited
Recorded in no Alabama county. Alabama lists Japanese Knotweed under “Class C.”
Mascarene Island Leaf-Flower – Phyllanthus tenellus IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Mascarene Island Leaf-Flower under “Class C.”
Multiflora Rose – Rosa multiflora IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 10 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Multiflora Rose under “Class C.”
Nepalese Browntop – Microstegium vimineum IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 5 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Nepalese Browntop under “Class C.”
Parrot Feather Watermilfoil – Myriophyllum aquaticum IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 25 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Parrot Feather Watermilfoil under “Class C.”
Purple Loosestrife – Lythrum salicaria IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 1 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Purple Loosestrife under “Class B.”
Small-Leaf Climbing Fern – Lygodium microphyllum Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Alabama county. Alabama lists Small-Leaf Climbing Fern under “Class A.”
Star of Bethlehem – Ornithogalum umbellatum IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 8 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Star of Bethlehem under “Class C.”
Stinkvine – Paederia foetida Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Alabama county. Alabama lists Stinkvine under “Class B.”
Torpedo Grass – Panicum repens IntroducedInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in 3 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama lists Torpedo Grass under “Class C.”
Water Chestnut – Trapa natans Not recorded hereInvasive
Invasive in the US, and recorded in no Alabama county. Alabama lists Water Chestnut under “Class C.”
Water Lettuce – Pistia stratiotes Not recorded hereProhibited
Recorded in no Alabama county. Alabama lists Water Lettuce under “Class C.”
Water Soldiers – Stratiotes aloides Not recorded hereProhibited
Recorded in no Alabama county. Alabama lists Water Soldiers under “Class C.”
No plant on Alabama’s list matches that.
1 of these plant is native to part of the United States, marked US native above. Nativity is regional. Black locust is native to the Appalachians and regulated in New England; Palmer amaranth is native to the Southwest and listed as an agricultural weed in the Corn Belt. A listing tells you what Alabama regulates, not where a plant belongs. The county checker answers the second question.
Want to check a plant by photo or county?
Use our “Is it native” tool for free.Compiled from the rule itself, retrieved July 20, 2026. Law changes; if you spot a listing we have wrong or stale, tell us at support@getezina.com.
The same list as a table
| Plant | Scientific name | Status | Plant instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Yam | Dioscorea bulbifera | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class A” | — |
| Alligatorweed | Alternanthera philoxeroides | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Asiatic Tearthumb | Polygonum perfoliatum | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class A” | — |
| Balloon Vine | Cardiospermum halicacabum | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Brazilian Waterweed | Egeria densa | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Brittle Waternymph | Najas minor | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Chamber Bitter | Phyllanthus urinaria | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Climbing Fern | Lygodium japonicum | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class B” | — |
| Coltsfoot | Tussilago farfara | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class A” | American Water Plantain, Spring Spiderlily, Broadleaf Arrowhead |
| Common Reed | Phragmites australis | ProhibitedAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Common Water Hyacinth | Eichhornia crassipes | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Curly Pondweed | Potamogeton crispus | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Eurasian Watermilfoil | Myriophyllum spicatum | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Garlic Mustard | Alliaria petiolata | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class A” | — |
| Hairy Crabweed | Fatoua villosa | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Japanese Knotweed | Polygonum cuspidatum | ProhibitedAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Mascarene Island Leaf-Flower | Phyllanthus tenellus | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Multiflora Rose | Rosa multiflora | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | Peelbark St. Johnswort, Shining Fetterbush, Blue Huckleberry |
| Nepalese Browntop | Microstegium vimineum | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Parrot Feather Watermilfoil | Myriophyllum aquaticum | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Purple Loosestrife | Lythrum salicaria | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class B” | Wand Lythrum, Comfortroot, Crimsoneyed Rosemallow |
| Small-Leaf Climbing Fern | Lygodium microphyllum | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class A” | — |
| Star of Bethlehem | Ornithogalum umbellatum | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Stinkvine | Paederia foetida | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class B” | — |
| Torpedo Grass | Panicum repens | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Water Chestnut | Trapa natans | ProhibitedInvasiveAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Water Lettuce US native | Pistia stratiotes | ProhibitedAlabama says “Class C” | — |
| Water Soldiers | Stratiotes aloides | ProhibitedAlabama says “Class C” | — |
Where this comes from
- Alabama listings
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.04. Read the rule.
- Invasive status
- GRIIS, the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species, via GBIF, covering the lower 48 states. A scientific register with no legal force; it is cited separately from the statute above because the two disagree far more often than they agree. Garden crops it flags only for spreading from cultivation are left out after review.
- Status wording
- The Prohibited / Restricted / Listed chips are Ezina’s normalisation across 44 states and are not the legal term. Where Alabama’s own word for a plant differs from the chip, it is quoted verbatim beneath it.
- Nativity
- USDA PLANTS county distribution layer, surfaced through the county checker.
Regulated next door, but not in Alabama
Plants that two or more states bordering Alabama regulate, and Alabama does not. A listing is a legal act rather than an ecological one, so a plant can be a documented problem here and still be sold here.
- Blood Grass Imperata cylindrica regulated in Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee
- Jio Commelina benghalensis regulated in Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee
- Brazilian Satintail Imperata brasiliensis regulated in Florida, Mississippi
- Kariba-Weed Salvinia molesta regulated in Mississippi, Tennessee
- Sunshine Chinese Privet Ligustrum sinense 'Sunshine' regulated in Florida, Tennessee
- Tropical Soda Apple Solanum viarum regulated in Mississippi, Tennessee
- Waterthyme Hydrilla verticillata regulated in Florida, Mississippi
Questions
Is there an official Alabama invasive species list?
Not under that name. Alabama's legal list is a noxious-weed list: 28 plants named under Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.04, an agricultural noxious-weed law, which governs control and spread on farmland and rights of way rather than what a nursery may sell. GRIIS, the Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species, flags 24 of these 28 as invasive in the lower 48 states. That is an ecological finding, not a ruling by Alabama. This page shows both side by side.
What plants are illegal to sell in Alabama?
Alabama's list is an agricultural noxious-weed law, which governs control and spread on farmland and rights of way rather than what a nursery may sell. 28 plants are named under Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.04. A noxious-weed listing does not automatically ban nursery sale, so check the rule itself before assuming a plant cannot be bought or sold.
Is my plant invasive in Alabama?
Search the table on this page for Alabama's legal determination, then look for the Invasive chip beside it, which is a separate ecological finding from GRIIS rather than a ruling by Alabama. A plant can carry one, both, or neither. For an address-level answer, enter the plant's name in Ezina's checker to get its Alabama status alongside whether USDA records it as native to your specific county. Every answer links the record it came from.
Is it illegal to plant these in Alabama?
Not necessarily, and the distinction matters. Alabama's list is an agricultural noxious-weed law: it obliges landowners to control these plants and restricts moving them, rather than making the act of planting one an offence in itself. Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.04 is the text that says what is actually required of you, and it is linked beside every plant here.
Does a plant missing from this list mean it is safe to plant in Alabama?
No. This page reproduces what Alabama regulates, and a state list is a legal instrument rather than an ecological verdict. Plenty of plants spread aggressively without ever being listed, and states add species years after the problem is documented.
Grow natives easily with Ezina
How it works
We provide the tools you need to succeed.
010.1Identify
Add a plant
Snap a photo or type the name. Ezina matches it to a library of about 40,000 species and starts a care plan tailored to your zone, the local weather, and the time of year.
010.2Care
Get a care plan
A schedule built from local rain, temperature, and sun, not a fixed weekly cadence. You get a single notification when a plant actually needs water. Easily add treatments for diseases and pests.
010.3Plan
Explore new options
Our garden planner Dig helps you understand what works best for your location and makes suggestions based off your long term goals.
Add a plant
Snap a photo or type the name. Ezina matches it to a library of about 40,000 species and starts a care plan tailored to your zone, the local weather, and the time of year.
Get a care plan
A schedule built from local rain, temperature, and sun, not a fixed weekly cadence. You get a single notification when a plant actually needs water. Easily add treatments for diseases and pests.
Explore new options
Our garden planner Dig helps you understand what works best for your location and makes suggestions based off your long term goals.
Compiled from peer-reviewed research, USDA documentation,
and direct scientific observation across the United States.