Exotic houseplants legality query

AUCKLAND: A plant producer industry body’s proposal to release new exotic houseplant species in the country will also determine the legal status of several current species.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is asking for public feedback on the application by New Zealand Plant Producers Inc (NZPPI) to release the 12 species.

Nine of the plants are already in the country while three of the species are not currently known to be in New Zealand.

The plants being considered originate from the rainforests of Central and South America, southeast Asia and China and among them are jewel orchid (Macodes petola), peacock peperomia (Peperomia albovittata), trailing jade (Peperomia rotundifolia) and bridal bouquet (Plumeria pudica).

The present species are sometimes traded commercially or on social media platforms, but EPA hazardous substances and new organisms general manager Chris Hill said he understood these were stored domestically or in pots.

‘‘As far as I know, none of them are actually sort of escaped as it were. They’re all sort of domestic in terms of where they are found.’’

The application would also clarify whether they should be here, Mr Hill said.

He said EPA was doing a risk assessment and seeking feedback to understand the possible implications.

‘‘We’ve got scientists here that will do a thorough examination of the risks that could be associated with letting them in.

‘‘Obviously, we don’t want anymore weeds in New Zealand. We’ve got plenty already.’’

Submissions on the proposal close on October 19. — RNZ