This semi-evergreen vine was introduced to eastern states as a fragrant ornamental during the mid-1800s or before (Gray 1864). In 1914, Gm noted: "common about old premises in Kentucky where it has at times been observed to assume the character of a weed." It is now one of the most abundant shrubby vines across the state, as elswhere in southeastern states (Schierenbeck 2005). Unfortunately, most of the colls. at KY were mislaid in the 1990s. See general notes on invasive evergreen vines under Euonymus fortunei. L. japonica and its largely East Asian allies form a distinct section (Nintooa) within subgenus Lonicera. The flowers of these species have had much tradtional use in Chinese medicine, involving phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids and fatty acids (Yuan et al. 2012).