# Fla. Stat. § 369.251: 369.251 Invasive nonnative plants; prohibitions; study; removal; rules

> Florida · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C369_PI_S369.251

## Section

- **Citation:** Fla. Stat. § 369.251
- **Heading:** 369.251 Invasive nonnative plants; prohibitions; study; removal; rules
- **Jurisdiction:** Florida
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Florida Code / Title XXVIII / Chapter 369 / Part I / Section 369.251

## Text

(1) A person may not sell, transport, collect, cultivate, or possess any plant, including any part or seed, of the species Melaleuca quinquenervia , Schinus terebinthifolius , Casuarina equisetifolia , Casuarina glauca , or Mimosa pigra without a permit from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Any person who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable by fine only, as provided in s. 775.083.

(2) The department, in coordination with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, shall study methods of control of plants of the species Melaleuca quinquenervia , Schinus terebinthifolius , Casuarina equisetifolia , Casuarina glauca , and Mimosa pigra . The South Florida Water Management District shall undertake programs to remove such plants from conservation area I, conservation area II, and conservation area III of the district.

(3) The department has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this section. Possession or transportation resulting from natural dispersion, mulching operations, control and disposal, or use in herbaria or other educational or research institutions, or for other reasons determined by the department to be consistent with this section and where there is neither the danger of, nor intent to, further disperse any plant species prohibited by this section, is not subject to the permit or penalty provisions of this section.

History: s. 1, ch. 90-313; s. 190, ch. 94-356; s. 77, ch. 98-200; s. 9, ch. 2008-150.

## Nearby sections

- [Fla. Stat. § 369.20 369.20 Florida Aquatic Weed Control Act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C369_PI_S369.20.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 369.22 369.22 Aquatic plant management.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C369_PI_S369.22.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 369.25 369.25 Aquatic plants; definitions; permits; powers of department; penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C369_PI_S369.25.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 369.251 369.251 Invasive nonnative plants; prohibitions; study; removal; rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C369_PI_S369.251.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 369.252 369.252 Invasive plant control on public lands.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C369_PI_S369.252.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 369.255 369.255 Green utility ordinances for funding greenspace management and exotic plant control.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C369_PI_S369.255.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXVIII_C369_PI_S369.251. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.