Honeysuckles (Lonicera) are recognized for their attractive appearance and sweet fragrance. These plants are popular ornamental additions to gardens and landscapes globally. They are found in temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with many species originating in China. To identify a honeysuckle, examine its distinct growth pattern, leaf structure, characteristic flowers, and berries.
Growth Habits and Structure
Honeysuckles grow in two major forms: upright, sprawling shrubs or twining, climbing vines. Shrub honeysuckles (bush honeysuckles) are multi-stemmed plants that form dense, widespreading bushes, often with arching branches. These shrubs can range from six to 20 feet tall, providing a freestanding screen or hedge.
Vine honeysuckles are woody climbers that rely on support structures like fences, arbors, or trees for vertical growth. The stems of these vines are often strongly fibrous and can reach lengths of over 20 feet. The bark on older stems is typically grayish-brown, often displaying a vertically shredded or fissured appearance.
Foliage Characteristics
The leaves of all honeysuckle species are arranged oppositely along the stem, with two leaves emerging directly across from each other at each node. The foliage is typically simple (undivided leaf blade) and generally oval, ovate, or oblong in shape. Most species are deciduous, but some varieties maintain their leaves throughout the year.
A distinctive feature in many vine species is the perfoliate leaf arrangement. Here, the uppermost pairs of leaves are fused together at their bases. This fusion creates a round disk through which the stem appears to pass. The leaf surface can vary from smooth and glossy to having a waxy or pubescent (finely hairy) texture.
The Signature Tubular Flowers
The flowers are the most recognizable trait, distinguished by their elongated, tubular shape, often described as trumpet-like. The tube frequently flares open at the mouth, forming two distinct lips. One lip typically has four lobes, and the other has one.
Five stamens, the pollen-bearing structures, are usually attached to the inner surface of the corolla tube and often protrude from the opening. Honeysuckle flowers are commonly borne in clusters or pairs at the ends of the stems or in the leaf axils. The color palette includes creamy white, pale yellow, pink, and red or orange.
Some varieties, such as Japanese honeysuckle, display flowers that change color as they age, often transitioning from white to creamy yellow.
Fruit and Seed Appearance
Following the blooms, honeysuckles produce small, spherical or slightly elongated berries as their fruit. These berries are usually grouped in pairs along the stem, replacing the paired flowers that preceded them. The fruit is small, typically around a quarter-inch across.
The berries appear in shades of red, orange, blue, or black, depending on the species. While these attractive, translucent berries are readily eaten by wildlife, they are mildly toxic to humans and should not be consumed. Each berry contains several small seeds.