This shrub from southern Europe is widely naturalized in North America, but concentrated in humid mid-temperate regions to the north of sinense (K). Previous mapping from Tenn. (Ch, K) has generally been erroneous (D. Estes, pers. comm.). In Ky. vulgare was first planted for ornamental hedges a century ago or more (Gm), and it became locally naturalized, despite some potential for browsing by deer or livestock (Boulanger et al. 2009, Averill et al. 2016). Some colls. should be rechecked for related species that have been more recently introduced; see especially notes under sinense. [Like some congeners, the leaves of vulgare make a small sound when snapped; but leaves of sinense tend to have a less rigid epidermis.] Several cultivars are named and some of these appear quite distinct from wild plants in southern Britain, with smaller or shorter leaves and more compact growth-form suitable for pruning into hedges (Bean 1978). Some of the most widely cultivated plants in Britain have been named var. italicum (Mill.) Vahl., which originates from further south in Europe.