During recent decades, this small shrub has been widely planted across eastern states for "reclamation" and "wildlife" in old fields and mined areas. L. bicolor (2n = 18, 22) has been confused with thunbergii, which is reported to include tetraploids (2n = 22, 40) and extends into cooler zones within East Asia (Cr; Flora of China 2000). In Ky. both species were unknown as wild plants before 1980 (M). Some colls. mapped here may be from plantings.