This tetraploid (2n = 40) is native to South America and has become widespread across warmer regions of southeastern states. In the Mississippi Valley north of Memphis it only occurs as a rare waif. There is only one known Ky. coll., made during 1985 by MM in a railroad yard of JEFF (KY). P. urvillei is one of the most robust species of the genus, often ca. 2 m tall and with 10-30 panicle branches.