How to Read a Plant's FLEPPC Status Before Installing in South Florida
How to Read a Plant's FLEPPC Status Before Installing
The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) publishes an annual list of invasive plant species found in Florida's natural areas. For landscape contractors, nursery growers, and HOA managers in South Florida, this list has real-world consequences: installing a Category I invasive can result in permit denials, HOA rejections, code violations, and legal liability.
The list updates every year at the FLEPPC symposium. A plant that was legally installed two years ago may now carry invasive status. Verifying FLEPPC status before every installation is not optional — it is professional practice.
What FLEPPC Categories Mean
FLEPPC uses two categories of invasive status, based on ecological impact evidence:
Category I — Invasive and Altering Native Plant Communities These species have been documented to invade and displace native vegetation, alter ecosystem processes, or hybridize with native species in Florida. Installing Category I species is prohibited in many Florida-Friendly Landscaping programs, disqualifies projects from certain grant programs, and can result in permit denial in regulated areas.
Examples in South Florida: Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia), melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Australian pine (Casuarina spp.), old world climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera)
Category II — Increasing in Abundance but Ecological Impact Not Yet Documented These species show spread into natural areas but have not yet been documented to cause the level of disruption required for Category I listing. Category II plants are not always prohibited but represent an elevated risk. HOA architectural review boards and Florida-Friendly Landscaping programs often discourage their use.
Examples: Natal grass (Melinis repens), tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum), climbing cassia (Senna pendula), Wakulla sedge (Cyperus involucratus)
How to Look Up a Plant's Current Status
Method 1 — FLEPPC Website (authoritative) Go to fleppc.org and navigate to the current Plant List. The list is updated annually following the summer symposium. Search by common name or scientific name. The scientific name is the only reliable anchor — common names vary by region and can refer to multiple species.
Method 2 — FDEP Invasive Species Database The Florida Department of Environmental Protection maintains an invasive species portal that cross-references FLEPPC status with distribution data by county. Useful for confirming whether a specific species has been documented in your county.
Method 3 — UF/IFAS Assessment UF/IFAS publishes an “Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas” that provides additional ecological detail beyond the FLEPPC categories. This is the document most arborist and ecological reports reference when providing professional opinions.
Critical note: Always search by scientific name (genus and species). Common names are not standardized. “Umbrella tree” refers to both Schefflera actinophylla (Category I invasive) and the native Magnolia tripetala (not invasive). A search by common name alone can give you the wrong result.
Commonly Confused South Florida Plants and Their FLEPPC Status
Common South Florida Plants — FLEPPC Invasive Status Reference 2025
| Common Name | Scientific Name | FLEPPC Status | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazilian pepper | Schinus terebinthifolia | Category I | Most prolific invasive in South Florida. Do not plant. |
| Melaleuca | Melaleuca quinquenervia | Category I | Still sold incorrectly. Verify before purchasing from wholesalers. |
| Australian pine | Casuarina spp. | Category I | Prohibited from installation; existing trees may require permits to remove. |
| Umbrella tree | Schefflera actinophylla | Category I | Commonly sold as a houseplant. Invasive if planted outdoors in South FL. |
| Lofty fig | Ficus altissima | Category II | Popular in commercial plantings. Spreading into natural areas — use with caution. |
| Carrotwood | Cupaniopsis anacardioides | Category II | Still widely planted. Spreading in coastal scrub. Avoid near natural areas. |
| Sabal palm | Sabal palmetto | Not listed — Native | Florida state tree. Recommended for all applications. |
| Live oak | Quercus virginiana | Not listed — Native | Heritage tree candidate. No invasive concerns. |
| Gumbo limbo | Bursera simaruba | Not listed — Native | South Florida native. Excellent for coastal and inland settings. |
This table is for reference only and reflects FLEPPC status as of 2025. Always verify at fleppc.org for the most current list, as categories are reviewed and updated annually. Source: FLEPPC; UF/IFAS; FloridaLandscapeIQ, 2025.
Why FLEPPC Status Matters for HOA Approvals
HOA architectural review boards in South Florida increasingly include FLEPPC status as a disqualifying criterion. Boards in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach — many of which participate in the Florida-Friendly Landscaping program — will reject any plant submission that includes a FLEPPC Category I species.
Before submitting to an HOA architectural review board:
- Look up every proposed plant species by scientific name on fleppc.org
- Include scientific names on your plant list submission — this prevents the board from approving a common name that could refer to an invasive species
- If a plant is Category II, note it with a comment about your rationale for inclusion and the distance from any natural areas
- Use the Florida-Friendly Landscaping plant list as a positive checklist for native and recommended alternatives
For permit applications in regulated areas (DERM coastal zone, Big Cypress Buffer Zone, Everglades buffer areas): installation of FLEPPC Category I species may result in automatic denial regardless of the underlying project type.
Find Florida-Friendly Landscaping certified contractors through the FloridaLandscapeIQ Contractor Directory.
Source: FLEPPC Florida Invasive Plant List; UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants; Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program; FloridaLandscapeIQ Staff, March 2025.