Sunset Hygro

Hi Donna,

Hygrophilia polysperma 'Sunset' ('Rosanervig' in Europe). It was originally found in a tank growing H. polysperma cuttings at Florida Aquatic Nursery. It was distributed until placed on the USDA Federal Noxious Weed List.

As a result of being placed on the Federal Noxious Weed List it is illegal to carry, enter, import, mail, ship, or transport; to aid, abet, cause, or induce the carrying, entering, importing, mailing, shipping, or transporting; to offer to carry, enter, import, mail, ship, or transport; to receive to carry, enter, import, mail, ship, or transport; to release into the environment; or to allow any of the activities described in this definition from one State into or through any other State; or within the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, or any other territory or possession of the United States.

While everything that was said above regarding the interstate transport of the plant is true, and that it is a federal noxious weed, it does NOT mean that it is illegal to keep this plant in your aquarium. It just makes it difficult to acquire. Your best bet is to find another local plant enthusiast who might be able to help you out.

Lots of people still keep h polysperma in their tanks. Every so often people will have it available in the for sale section here, but as noted, illegal to ship across state lines.

Basically, for aquarists, this means one should always responsibly dispose of cuttings, excess plants, and never ever intentionally release a nonnative into the environment.

And OBtW, many other plants are on the list. My 'favorite' is water hyacinth, feral noxious weed, but offered for sale virtually everywhere, for ponds, virtually guaranteeing it will propagate into the environment.