In the United States, boxwood blight was first reported in North Carolina in September 2011; the disease was observed in Connecticut several weeks later.

[7] The geographic origin of C. pseudonaviculata is unknown, but is hypothesized to be in a center of diversity for Buxus in East Asia, the Caribbean, or Madagascar.

The spores remain viable for five years in fallen boxwood leaves,[12] and are dispersed by wind and rain over short distances.

[8][16] The disease has caused declines in native Buxus forests in western Asia, which has reduced habitat and resources for biodiversity and negatively impacted ecosystem services such as soil stability, water quality, and flood protection.

A climatic suitability study at regional and global scales indicated that C. pseudonaviculata could potentially spread and establish well beyond its currently invaded range in Europe, western Asia, New Zealand, United States and Canada.

[19] These include a number of not-yet-invaded areas in eastern and southern Europe, North America, and many regions of the world where boxwood is native.