Abstract: Eupatorium odoratum is a long-lived perennial plant of Eupatorium, Compositae family, native to South America. It has been bringing about some serious threats to biodiversity, agricultural production and ecological security in the regions where they have invaded and regarded as a global invasive alien weed from tropical to subtropical areas, including America, Africa and Asia. Eupatorium odoratum was first discovered in Yunnan and Hainan provinces in 1934, and now it is spreading rapidly in China, especially in southern China. This paper presented a detailed account of this species in relation to its invasion ecology, such as biological characteristics, invasive mechanisms, harms, utilizations and control strategies. Based on the current research progresses, some important study fields on the ecology and sustainable utilization of Eupatorium odoratum may focus on the following aspects in the future, including: (1)its comprehensive survey and diffusion prediction of invasion; (2)invasive process and its interaction mechanisms; (3)invasive effects and risk assessment; (4)scientific management and control countermeasures.