With subtropical to tropical climates , the intact state of Florida is a biodiverse harbor where many aboriginal and non - aboriginal works species thrive . But over the years , many non - native invading diverseness have been preface throughout the state , whether by design or accidentally , that outcompete native plants for infinite and resources .

An teemingness of info is usable for interested Floridians to identify which works are not recommended based on their potential negative wallop on native ecosystem . The selective information is so plentiful , in fact , that it can be difficult to find which source is best .

This dilemma was the impetus behind “ drop off in the Weeds ? : A Comprehensive Guide to Florida ’s Many Non - aboriginal Plant Lists , ” a novel text file usable through the University of Florida / IFAS Extension ’s online collection , EDIS .

“ The ultimate finish of the text file was to elucidate what each of these lists imply and do , ” said Deah Lieurance , generator of the issue and an assistant Extension scientist with the UF / IFAS agronomy department . “ It can be confusing for the great unwashed to check which list to use to find the entropy they are seeking . ”

The document focus on five elementary lists that Floridians can refer , although other leaning are usable .

“ I think a peck of hoi polloi in the res publica have an understanding about invading specie as a whole , but possibly more specifically on the brute side , ” Lieurance pronounce . “ When you specify it down to plant , there ’s a piffling more confusion or there ’s not as much media coverage out there . Just because it ’s light-green and succulent , does n’t intend it ’s practiced for the ecosystem . ”

While all five lists are based on scientific data that back up identifying plants ’ invasion risks , and there is some lap among the lists , the written document makes clear that only the state and Union lists are regulative .

“ There are penalties if you in any room transport any part of the plants that appear on the Federal Noxious Weed List , ” explained Lieurance , who is also affiliate with the UF / IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants . “ The two state inclination , the Florida Noxious Weed List and the Florida Prohibited Aquatic Plant List , also legally prohibit movement within the state . There are two lists because they used to be handle by two dissimilar means , but the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services now controls both of those lists . ”

Lyn Gettys , the other author and associate professor of scientific agriculture based at the UF / IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center , lend that the lists are not exhaustive , though .

“ People should empathise that government noxious weed / nix plant listing do n’t let in all invasive mintage , ” Gettys said . “ Also , inclusion on one of the other ‘ non - regulative ’ lists does n’t necessarily mean you ca n’t work a special works but that it would be environmentally responsible for to consider a aboriginal choice or else . ”

Lieurance says the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council ’s leaning , which is non - regulatory , is the most used in the state , for the most part because it is the most well - known . She is also the council ’s incoming professorship and a member of the plant leaning committee .

But Lieurance propose that users may incur theUF / IFAS Assessment of Non - aboriginal Plants in Florida ’s Natural Areas , which she coordinates , to be the most comprehensive source of information .

“ The Assessment gives users the power to dribble information that fits their needs , ” Lieurance said . “ It permit you see only north , central or south zones of the state , or look up , for example , what vines the University of Florida recommend for planting . ”

The Assessment is not regulative , but all who are affiliated with UF – including Extension specialists and Master Gardeners – must adhere to its good word , Lieurance notice . It also features links to other helpful resources , such as the USDA Plants Database , a citizen datum collecting tool call EDDMapS , the Atlas of Florida Plants and the UF / IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants .

“ Through the UF / IFAS Extension and Master Gardener web , we can hit a quite a little of the great unwashed , ” Lieurance say . “ Our sweat can make a difference of opinion in promoting the importance of doing what we can to protect native species . ”

Source : University of Florida ( Kirsten Romaguera )