Within North America, this alien occurs mostly in southern states. There is a coll. from FAYE (KY-Agr.), but other reports are not verified (M). R. pulcher is a variable species that has been confused with altissimus and other native species, but it is more closely related to obtusifolius (FNA 5). It differs from obtusifolius as follows (FNA 5, Y): stems 2-7 dm (versus 6-15 dm); leaf blades mostly 4-10 x 3-5 cm (versus 20-40 x 10-15 cm); inflorescence branches usually spreading to loosly ascending, forming angle of 60-90° with 1st-order stem (versus ascending, forming angle of 30-45°); fruiting perianth with 1-3 subequal to unequal tubercles, usually verrucose (versus usually 1 or rarely 3 unequal, smooth).