369.251  Invasive nonnative plants; prohibitions; study; removal; rules.--

(1)  A person may not sell, transport, collect, cultivate, or possess any plant, including any part or seed, of the species Melaleuca quinquenervia, Schinus terebinthifolius, Casuarina equisetifolia, Casuarina glauca, or Mimosa pigra without a permit from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Any person who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable by fine only, as provided in s. 775.083.

(2)  The department, in coordination with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, shall study methods of control of plants of the species Melaleuca quinquenervia, Schinus terebinthifolius, Casuarina equisetifolia, Casuarina glauca, and Mimosa pigra. The South Florida Water Management District shall undertake programs to remove such plants from conservation area I, conservation area II, and conservation area III of the district.

(3)  The department has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this section. Possession or transportation resulting from natural dispersion, mulching operations, control and disposal, or use in herbaria or other educational or research institutions, or for other reasons determined by the department to be consistent with this section and where there is neither the danger of, nor intent to, further disperse any plant species prohibited by this section, is not subject to the permit or penalty provisions of this section.