Thirty eight species are to be taken off a list of plants currently considered pestilent and not allowed to be sold. They include old man's beard.
Their removal was recommended by a steering group comprising the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry, the Department of Conservation, regional councils and the Nursery Garden Industry Association.
However, environmental analyst Alan Liefting says the only reason he can see for removing the plants is that Nursery Garden Industry Association members can make money from selling the plants.
The association denies commercial incentives were behind the removal.
