[Aim] Solanum rostratum Dunal, a quarantine weed, invaded China in 1980s. S. rostratum has become widely distributed in northeast and northwest of China and is causing huge damage to the local agricultural production. It is imperative to identify its geographic distribution pattern and dispersal potential to establish effective management measures and prevent further invasion.[Method] Here, we first reconstructed the historical invasion process of S. rostratum in China based on field investigations, herbarium records, and published literature. Secondly, Maxent ecological niche modeling was applied to predict the potential distribution of S. rostratum in China. Finally, the high risk areas for potential invasion were identified.[Result] S. rostratum first invaded Chaoyang County, Liaoning Province, northeast China in 1980. It then spread along the road and rivers to the neighboring regions. After 2000, it was found in the Jilin, Neimenggu, Xinjiang, Hebei provinces. Until now, it invaded 54 counties in 7 provinces. Maxent modeling prediction showed that there is a large area suitable for survival of S. rostratum in China.[Conclusion] Its invasion process showed that it is still in the expansion phase and has not yet occupied all climatic suitability areas in China. North China plain were identified as high risk for potential expansion. Monitoring should be enforced where current invasion front and high risk areas are found, such as in the regions along the Baotou, Zhangjiakou, Beijing and Qinhuangdao, to find the invaded populations as early as possible and prevent or mitigate its expansion toward neighboring areas.