 It is thought to be native to Japan, but it has been reported as an invasive species in a number of places in Europe, North America and New Zealand.It is sometimes given the nickname "D. vex" because of the vexing way in which it dominates marine ecosystems when introduced into new locations, however the species epithet "vexillum" actually derives from the Latin word for flag, and the species was so named because of the way colonies' long tendrils appear to wave in the water like a flag."D.