19 plants added to WA quarantine list
Washington has added 19 new plants to the Noxious Weed Seed and Plant Quarantine list. Pictured is Atlantic ivy, one of the plants that has been banned to be sold in Washington.
COURTESY PHOTO/WASHINGTON STATE NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL BOARD
OLYMPIA – Following extensive public outreach and community petitions, the Washington State Department of Agriculture has amended its Noxious Weed Seed and Plant Quarantine list, adding several new plant species. The updated rule took effect Aug. 9.
“WSDA is responsible for establishing quarantines for non-native plants that pose a threat to agriculture or the environment. Preventing their sale in the state is one important step to limiting initial or new introductions of these problematic plants,” reads a statement from WSDA.
The newly included species are: common ivy, Atlantic Ivy, spotted touch me not, cape pondweed, hanging sedge, green alkanet, common fennel, European coltsfoot, herb robert, houndstongue, sulfur cinquefoil, wild basil, yellow nutsedge, camelthorn, Russian knapweed, puncturevine, rough chervil, Turkish thistle and palmer's amaranth.
Under the new regulations, these plants cannot be sold or installed by nurseries and plant sellers in Washington State. Citizens are encouraged to report any violations to the WSDA Plant Services Program via email at [email protected].
Non-compliance can result in fines, according to a statement from WSDA.