Japanese Honeysuckle

Caprifoliaceae

LIFE FORM: semi-evergreen vine

NATIVITY: Eastern Asia

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Climbing or trailing vine; leaves are opposite and simple; leaves and twigs are hairy.

FLOWERS:

Tubular, white and yellow flowers bloom in May; flowers are fragrant and produced in pairs.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Black berries mature in late summer and persist into fall; seeds dispersed by birds; trailing stems root at nodes.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Highly adaptable vine which flourishes along the woodland edge. Prefers minimally maintained public parks and open space; woodlands that develop on abandoned open space; riverbanks; chain-link fence lines; unmowed highway banks and median strips with frequent salt applications.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

An aggressive woodland weed throughout the south and east; salt tolerance along roadways; food and/or habitat for wildlife; erosion control on slopes.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Originally planted for its sweet fragrance and attractive flowers; tea made from the flowers is used medicinally in Asia. Introduced as an ornamental species. Invasive species in minimally managed habitats.