This pantropical weed is said to be introduced from Brazil or elsewehere in South America (W), but there are some early reports from North America, e.g., Rafinesque (1819). Early reports of H. europaeum L. from Ky. are probably all based on indicum (M). H. europaea is a weedy southern Europaean species that is scattered across southeastern states, but not yet verified in Mo., Ky., Ill., or Ind. (K).