Japanese Honeysuckle

Scientific Name: Lonicera japonica

INTRODUCTION

An aggressive flowering vine native to eastern Asia, the Japanese honeysuckle can be seen displaying its clusters of white and yellow flowers behind the Girls Elementary School. These flaring trumpet-like flowers with protruding stamens can bloom for an extended period of time, throughout summer and even into the fall.

Originally white, the honeysuckle petals turn yellow with age, and when the flowers finally wither away, a somewhat poisonous black fruit (to humans) is left. The fragrant flowers will attract butterflies, and birds often eat the berries.

INVASIVE

As an extremely fast growing vine, the honeysuckle competes with native species for nutrients and light, since it can quickly take over a space and shade over the plants below it. It can also kill trees or bushes by crawling over them and smothering them with its dense foliage. As a result, the Japanese honeysuckle is considered invasive in many states across the US.