This semievergreen East Asian vine has spread from cultivation at scattered sites across eastern states, becoming locally invasive (W). It is common in some gardens and parks of Louisville (JEFF), where it has been difficult to eradicate. Vegetative spread can become extensive on the ground, since the species is somewhat shade tolerant as well as being able to grow through mowed grass. Flowering occurs regularly in some gardens, but fruiting is rare (J. McCandless and J. Wysor et al., pers. comm.); the species is self-incompatible. The distance of some sites from original plantings suggests that seed dispersal may have been involved. The fruit is a large dehiscent follicle (5-8 x 2-4 cm), with many seeds in sweet-tasting, gelatinous flesh and blue-lavendar rind, probably adapted to general dispersal by larger birds and mammals, including carnivores and monkeys (Flora of China Vol. 6; Otani 2003, Koike et al. 2008).