"hiptage benghalensis" is a native of india, southeast asia and the philippines. it has been recorded as a weed in australian rain forests and is invasive in mauritius, réunion, florida and hawaii where it thrives in dry lowland forests, forming impenetrable thickets and smothering native vegetation. the florida exotic pest plant council (fleppc) listed "h. benghalensis" among category ii plants in 2001, which are species that have shown a potential to disrupt native plant communities.