Invasive Plants Sold Illegally in Ireland

Why this is here: Ireland has more non-native plant species recorded than native ones, with non-native abundance increasing by 80% over the last 20 years.

Environmental scientist Dr. Noeleen Smyth of UCD discovered illegal, high-risk invasive plants for sale to Irish shoppers online and at trade shows.

Since 2024, 34 plant species, including Spanish bluebells, are prohibited from sale or transport under Irish and EU law to protect native species. Dr. Smyth easily located Spanish bluebells despite their potential to displace the native Irish variety, which is becoming increasingly rare.

The hottentot fig, eradicated from parts of Howth, Dublin, was also found available online, sometimes under a false name. The National Parks and Wildlife Service acknowledges the offense and will form the Invasive Species Bureau to manage the problem, while the Irish Wildlife Trust advocates adding more plants to the prohibited list, like cherry laurel.

Funding for invasive species control reached over €4.4 million in 2024, but identifying and listing new invasive plants remains a slow process, and native plant abundance has declined by 56% in the last 20 years. Work to assess and regulate invasive species continues.