In 2005, the Massachusetts Invasive Plants Advisory Group (MIPAG) presented MDAR with a list of plants designated as invasive in Massachusetts. This list was combined with the Federal Noxious Weed List to create the original Prohibited Plant List, which covered more than 140 species. An extensive public comment and review period followed. During this review, it was determined that 14 of the species that were commonly sold as ornamental plants should be given an additional phase-out period, in order to minimize the financial impacts on Massachusetts nurseries.
On January 1st, 2006, MDAR began a two-step ban on the importation and sale of species on the Prohibited Plant List. Most of the species were banned from importation, sale, trade, distribution and related activities as of this date. A short list of woody ornamental plants were granted an extension on importation through July 2006; these species were also granted an extension on in-state propagation ban through January 2009. A few herbaceous ornamentals also received the same import extension, but were banned from in-state propagation after January 2007. A complete list of the species subject to these phase-outs is below.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Importation Ban | Propagation Ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amur honeysuckle | Lonicera maackii | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2009 |
| Bell's honeysuckle | Lonicera x bella [morrowii x tatarica] | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2009 |
| Bishop's weed; goutweed | Aegopodium podagraria | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2009 |
| Creeping jenny; moneywort | Lysimachia nummularia | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2009 |
| Forget-me-not | Myosotis scorpiodes | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2007 |
| Japanese Barberry | Berberis thunbergii | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2009 |
| Japanese honeysuckle | Lonicera japonica | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2009 |
| Morrow's honeysuckle | Lonicera morrowii | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2009 |
| Norway maple | Acer platanoides | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2009 |
| Plume grass; Amur silvergrass | Miscanthus sacchariflorus | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2007 |
| Sycamore maple | Acer pseudoplatanus | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2009 |
| Tatarian honeysuckle | Lonicera tatarica | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2009 |
| Winged euonymus; Burning Bush | Euonymus alatus | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2009 |
| Yellow Iris | Iris pseudacorus | July 1, 2006 | January 1, 2007 |
As of January 2009, all species on the Prohibited Plant List are banned from importation, sale, trade, distribution and related activities.