Distribution
China, Japan, United States of America (introduced)

Native to eastern Asia and was first introduced into the United States in 1830 as an ornamental.

Dense evergreen shrub that invades natural areas throughout the southeastern United States. The shrub is often multi-stemmed and short. Sharp shoots give it a thorny appearance. Shrubs can grow 3.3-26.3 ft. (1-8 m) tall. Shrubs are usually very dense with long shoots extending from the top. The leaves are alternate, oval to elliptical, with irregular wavy margins and silvery surfaces, 2-4 in. (5.1-10.2 cm) in length and thick. Flowers: the axillary clusters of small, sweet-smelling, white to brown flowers develop in the fall. Plants rarely fruit, but fruits are small, red and dotted with small brown scales.