This southeastern shrub occurs widely in diverse subxeric to submesic woods, often along small roads, streams or in other areas subject to occasional disturbance (Hill 2007b). The only reliable Ky. records are recent colls. by M. Brock & W. Overbeck from LEE (EKY) and by E.W. Chester from LYON (APSC, EKY; reported by CW). It has been also been reported from WHIT (R. Jacobs, pers. comm.) and perhaps collected elsewhere (Cr, Gonsoulin 1974). However, it cannot be relocated at some sites, where data remain dubious (Palmer-Ball et al. 1988, Chester 1991, M). S. grandifolius is also known from s. Mo., s. Ill., s. Ind., se. Ohio, w. Va. and parts of n. Tenn. (K). But there are few records from north of the Tennessee River watershed, and mostly from single isolated patches. Compared to americanus, plant dimensions in grandiflorus are generally greater (FNA 8), especially the flowers, with corolla lobes 15-22 mm versus 10-12 mm. Also, leaves are relatively broad (L/W ca. 0.7-0.8 versus 0.5) and hairier beneath (densely fine pale pubescent versus glabrous to dense rusty); 2n = 32 versus 16. Unlike americanus, grandifolius has long running roots, which may enable single clones to spread over 10-100+ m in suitable habitats. Two Asian species of Styrax are sometimes grown in Ky. as ornamental small trees: S. japonicus Sieb. & Zucc. (with small acuminate leaves) and S. obassia Sieb. & Zucc. (wth large orbicular leaves). There are no records of escaped plants in Ky., but japonicus has become locally invasive in Va. (W).