In Sri Lanka it overgrows several hectares of the Udawatta Kele Sanctuary in Kandy. It overgrows and smothers stands of endemic vegetation, mainly on roadsides. Pityrosporum is part of the normal skin flora, but overgrows in certain conditions. As the living cells become divided, callus is formed and overgrows the wound. It grows in patches on hard substrates up to in diameter and overgrows other organisms.