Japanese Honeysuckle

Common Name: Japanese Honeysuckle
Scientific Name: Lonicera japonica
Origin: East Asia

Description

Japanese honeysuckle is a woody, perennial vine that can both trail and climb, reaching heights of up to 80 feet. Most of its leaves are simple, oval, and opposite, but the lowermost leaves may have rounded lobes. Its white-pink flowers occur in pairs between leaves in late spring and continue to bloom throughout the summer, eventually fading to yellow. Flowers give way to black fruits that mature in the fall.

Habitat

This species favors disturbed areas and margins including roadsides, field edges, floodplains and forest openings. It tolerates shade and prefers moist soils.

Threat

Climbing Japanese honeysuckle grows over shrubs and trees, eventually causing them to collapse under the additional weight or girdle the supporting tree. Trailing vines form a dense monoculture that prevents the germination and recruitment of other native plants and diminishes biodiversity.

Management

Small infestations can be removed manually, but care must be taken to ensure all root fragments are removed to prevent resprouting. Larger infestations can be controlled chemically in late fall, when the Japanese honeysuckle still has its leaves but most native species have already lost theirs.

Regional Distribution

Unknown

WNY PRISM Priority

Tier 3 – Containment

Invasive Species Priorities – Tier Chart

Pathways

Japanese honeysuckle was originally introduced in the 1800s as an ornamental plant and later for erosion control. Established populations can spread vegetatively, through contaminated soil and by birds who can spread seeds long distances.

Japanese honeysuckle is a prohibited species in New York State – for more information on Prohibited and Regulated Species, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/99141.html.

Additional Resources:

University of Florida Institute of Agricultural and Food Sciences
Texas Invasive Species Institute
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry