UF/IFAS Offers Free Tool to Identify Invasive Plants

Website helps Floridians avoid planting species that could harm natural areas

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is urging Floridians to use a free website that helps identify non-native plant species that pose risks to the state's natural areas, agriculture, and ecosystems. The UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas evaluates and categorizes non-native plant species based on their potential to become invasive.

Why it matters

Florida's geography and climate make it especially vulnerable to invasive plant species, with over 1,400 non-native plant species in the state. Many of these species can outcompete native plants, disrupt wildlife habitats, and create costly control efforts. The UF/IFAS assessment helps prevent these issues by identifying high-risk species early on.

The details

The assessment website uses peer-reviewed evaluation tools and climate modeling to determine whether a non-native plant species can survive and reproduce in Florida. As of 2025, the assessment has evaluated 970 plant species, with 344 classified as high-risk, invasive, or prohibited. The findings inform conservation strategies and support decisions about Florida's noxious weed list.

  • The UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas was launched in the early 2000s.
  • As of 2025, the assessment has evaluated 970 plant species.
  • Moderate-risk species are reassessed every two years, while low and high-risk plants are reviewed every 10 years.

The players

UF/IFAS

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, which oversees the assessment and provides science-based solutions to Florida's agricultural and natural resources industries.

Luke Flory

A professor and associate chair of the UF/IFAS agronomy department and director of the Invasion Science Institute (ISI), who oversees the assessment.

Seokmin Kim

The coordinator of the UF/IFAS assessment, who manages the website, conducts evaluations and reassessments, and communicates with researchers, land managers, industry representatives, and the public.

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What they’re saying

“Many non-native species are valuable as food and landscaping plants, but others should be avoided to reduce the chances that they escape and cause problems for agriculture or surrounding natural areas.”

— Luke Flory, Professor and associate chair of the UF/IFAS agronomy department, director of the Invasion Science Institute (ISI)

“We want to prevent species from becoming invasive in Florida to begin with. There are many non-native species out there that we need to watch out for and prioritizing high-risk plants is critical.”

— Seokmin Kim, Coordinator of the UF/IFAS assessment

What’s next

The UF/IFAS assessment will continue to add new plant species to the database and reassess existing species to ensure the recommendations reflect the latest scientific information.

The takeaway

By using the free UF/IFAS assessment website, Floridians can make more informed decisions about the plants they choose for their yards and landscapes, helping to protect the state's natural areas, agriculture, and ecosystems from the harmful impacts of invasive species.