UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants
2024- Current
Florida is simultaneously one of the most biodiverse and vulnerable areas in the United States. Having 30+ points of entry, hundreds of millions of visitors per year, and tropical to subtropical climates, Florida has at least 1,400 non-native plant species. To help protect natural and agricultural areas from invasive species, the UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants (henceforth UF/IFAS Assessment) in Florida’s Natural Areas uses literature and expert-based assessment tools to evaluate invasion risk of non-native plant species in Florida and throughout the Southeast US. We use multiple tools like the Predictive Tool (Gordon et al. 2008) to assess invasion risk of non-native species that occur in the state, new species proposed for introduction, and novel agricultural and horticultural cultivars. Through our website, we provide the latest descriptions, categorizations, and recommended uses of non-native plants in Florida. As of 2026, we have assessed 1000+ species and identified 400+ high-risk, invasive, or prohibited plants. We also collaborate with external partners in recommending species to the state noxious weed list, which would legally prohibit their sale and encourage removal from landscapes.
Seokmin Kim 