Great egret wading among pickerelweed on an open prairie in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

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Georgia

Is hydrilla banned in Georgia?

Yes. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is on the Georgia list “Designation of noxious weeds (Federal Noxious Weed List)”, group “Aquatic and wetland weeds”. Listed plants may not be sold or distributed in Georgia (Live Plant Regulations, Rule 40-4-9-.11(b)).

Photo: Great egret wading among pickerelweed on an open prairie in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. David Wilson, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

What the Georgia rule says about hydrilla

This is the entry that bans hydrilla from sale in Georgia, with the rule text as recorded.

Plant as printedHydrilla verticillata (hydrilla)
ListDesignation of noxious weeds (Federal Noxious Weed List)
AgencyUSDA APHIS
Citation7 CFR 360.200; made enforceable for plant sales in Georgia by Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-9-.11(b) and incorporated in seed law by 40-12-4-.01(d)
ClassAquatic and wetland weeds
Rule dateNovember 10, 2010
What the rule saysFederal noxious weeds (7 CFR 360) may not be moved interstate or imported without a federal permit. In Georgia, the Live Plant Regulations make it an unlawful act to sell or distribute any plant listed on the Federal Noxious Weed list (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-9-.11(b); 40-4-9-.01(h) defines Federal Noxious Weed as "Any plant listed under Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 360"), and the Georgia seed rule forbids their seed or propagules being intermixed with seed for sale (40-12-4-.01(d)). The CFR note says a scientific name "is intended to include all subordinate taxa within the taxon".

Text recorded from the official rule, read November 12, 2026. Scientific names are copied as printed.

Autumn color around a quiet cove at Richard B. Russell State Park

Autumn color around a quiet cove at Richard B. Russell State Park

Other Georgia lists that name hydrilla

ListTypeWhat it means
Georgia Invasive Species Strategy, Appendix A: Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia (plants)Advisory listAdvisory list; it has no legal effect.

Is hydrilla banned in other states?

StateHydrilla banned from sale?List
TennesseeNoNamed only on the federal noxious weed list
GeorgiaYes7 CFR 360.200, Aquatic and wetland weeds
North CarolinaYes7 CFR 360.200, Aquatic and wetland weeds
TexasYes4 Tex. Admin. Code ยง19.300, Noxious plants
PennsylvaniaYes3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 15, Class B Noxious Weed
OhioYesOhio Adm. Code 901:5-30-01

States on this site. Each answer comes from that state's official lists; follow the link for the details.

Other plants people ask about in Georgia

The Georgia invasive plants list has every plant on the state ban lists with a filter, the advisory lists and what each rule means.

Hydrilla in Georgia: questions

Is hydrilla banned in Georgia?

Yes. Hydrilla is on the 7 CFR 360.200 list in Georgia, and listed plants may not be sold or distributed in Georgia (Live Plant Regulations, Rule 40-4-9-.11(b)).

Since when is hydrilla banned in Georgia?

The date printed or effective for the 7 CFR 360.200 list is November 10, 2010.

Which agency bans hydrilla in Georgia?

USDA APHIS, under 7 CFR 360.200; made enforceable for plant sales in Georgia by Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-9-.11(b) and incorporated in seed law by 40-12-4-.01(d).

What is hydrilla called on the Georgia list?

Georgia lists print it as Hydrilla verticillata.

Is hydrilla banned in neighboring states?

Of the states on this site, North Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio ban its sale.

Who can identify hydrilla for me in Georgia?

Your county office of UGA Cooperative Extension can identify plants. Offices are listed on each county page under Georgia gardening.

Green pasture and old barn below wooded hills in rural Polk County
Green pasture and old barn below wooded hills in rural Polk County

Sources for hydrilla in Georgia

Designation of noxious weeds (Federal Noxious Weed List), USDA APHIS. 7 CFR 360.200; made enforceable for plant sales in Georgia by Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 40-4-9-.11(b) and incorporated in seed law by 40-12-4-.01(d). Date printed or effective: November 10, 2010. Read November 12, 2026.

Georgia Invasive Species Strategy, Appendix A: Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia (plants), Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (Georgia Invasive Species Advisory Committee). Date printed or effective: August 2009. Read November 12, 2026.

Lists change; check the agency page before buying or selling plants. More for Georgia: Georgia gardening, what to plant now and the planting zone map.

Photos: Great egret wading among pickerelweed on an open prairie in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr; Green pasture and old barn below wooded hills in rural Polk County: .:[ Melissa ]:., CC BY 2.0, via Flickr; Autumn color around a quiet cove at Richard B. Russell State Park: Shawn Taylor, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr.