Invasive plant species face new restrictions in Poland and Sweden

New environmental regulations are targeting invasive plant species in Europe to protect native ecosystems. In Poland, the Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) is facing a ban. Property owners must remove this plant from their land by August 2, 2027, to avoid potential fines of up to 1 million PLN. The plant, originally from East Asia, is highly resilient and spreads rapidly via bird-dispersed seeds, threatening local trees and forests.

In Sweden, new restrictions implemented in May 2026 have placed the rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) on a blacklist of invasive species. The shrub is known for its ability to expand quickly, particularly in coastal areas, creating dense thickets that are difficult to eradicate. While the rugosa rose remains available for purchase in Poland, environmental institutions such as the General Directorate for Environmental Protection and the University of Warsaw Botanical Garden monitor its spread, noting its presence in various parts of the country, especially near the Baltic Sea.