This small evergreen shrub is a monotypic species that is widely cultivated and has become locally naturalized in southeastern states as far north as Mo., Tenn. and N.Car., especially around urban areas (K, W). There are a few records from Ky., Va. and Md., but it remains unknown further north. In Ky. there have been reports after 2010 from BARR, JEFF, LARU and ROWA (SE; eddmaps.org), but no herbarium colls. of truly naturalized plants have been seen. It remains unclear if there are only occasional waifs, or if there is a slow progressive invasion, perhaps enhanced by climatic warming.