FNGA Urges Florida Industry To Phase Out 34 Invasive Plants

FNGA and the Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers (TBWG), in cooperation with the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC), is asking Florida nursery growers, landscape professionals and garden center retailers to voluntarily stop propagating, selling and using these 34 species after joint talks overseen by the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services resulted in agreement that the plants are becoming invasive in Florida’s natural areas. These 34 species are in addition to the voluntary ban on 11 other plants announced by FNGA in 1999.

Over the years, such plants were introduced by the government for forage, erosion control and other agricultural uses, as well as by nursery growers for their horticultural value and through accidental introduction. Widely known invasive plants are Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, carrotwood, Chinese tallow, hydrilla and melaleuca.

"FNGA is aware how destructive invasive plants are to Florida’s special environment," said FNGA President Joe Cialone, Tropical Ornamentals, Lake Worth, Fla. "We are joining with land managers and researchers to stop the spread of these plants which displace and destroy native plant communities."

In response to the significant management challenges and expense of controlling numerous invasive species in natural habitats, public land managers in several states and regions established Exotic Pest Plant Councils. The first was founded in Florida in 1984. FLEPPC’s membership numbers more than 300 public and private land managers, university faculty, citizens, nursery professionals and businesses. FNGA represents more than 2,200 of Florida’s nursery growers, landscape professionals, garden center retailers and related suppliers. TBWG represents 86 Hillsborough County-based grower members.

"[FLPPEC] is pleased to continue working with Florida’s nursery and landscape industry identifying invasive species having ecological effects that should no longer be commercially available," said Ken Langeland, FLEPPC chair. "We appreciate this proactive working relationship to address the invasive species problem in Florida’s natural areas."

The FNGA/FLEPPC/TBWG task force meetings focused on the identification of plant species that have become established in natural areas and, generally, are not economically significant to the statewide nursery and landscape industry. Also reviewed were the mode of spread and reproduction of the plant; specific varieties of plant species believed to be invasive (where differences among varieties exist); and potential alternatives as substitute plants.

As a result of these discussions, FNGA’s board of directors voted unanimously in March 2001 to urge that these 34 species no longer be propagated, sold or used in Florida.

"This decisive action underscores the role and commitment of Florida’s nursery and landscape industry in ensuring the continued natural beauty of Florida’s environment." said Ben Bolusky, FNGA executive vice president.