This Japanese shrub is widely cultivated in North America and has occasionally escaped, especially in northeastern states (K). A small reproducing population has been found in MADI (Weckman et al. 2002; EKY). Leaves have an unpleasant "burned rubber" or "rotten green pepper" smell when crushed. The allied species, V. plicatum Thunb. (as the "Japanese Snowball" cultivar), is often planted and has escaped locally in some northern and eastern states (K, W), but it is not yet confirmed in Ky.