This widely planted ornamental has become naturalized across east-central states, especially in mid-Atlantic and Appalachian regions (FNA 25). See also notes under floridulus, which may be confused. M. sinensis was first recorded in Ky. during the 1930s by B. It is now abundant in some Appalachian regions and locally elsewhere, especially in brushy old fields and roadsides that are not grazed by livestock. The species is well-known to be preferred by cattle in Japan, where intense grazing can reduce it (e.g. Takahashi et al. 2009). A sterile triploid cultivar known as M. X giganteus Greef & Deu is reportedly derived from hydridization with M. sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Franch (Linde-Laursen 2004); however, floridulus is another potential parent.. This cultivar has been the subject of much research on use for biofuel at the Univ. of Ky. and elsewhere (J. Chappell, pers. comm.), but a fungal leaf blight has caused serious problems in Ky. (Ahonsi et al. 2010). Further accessions of triploid hybrids and artificially created hexaploids could well have invasive potential (Schnitzler & Essl 2015). Leaves often have a distinctive whitish zone along the midvein (also in floridulus).