Honeysuckles are archingshrubs ortwining vines in the genusLonicera (/lɒˈnɪsərə/[2]) of the familyCaprifoliaceae. The genus includes 158 species[1] native to northernlatitudes in North America,Eurasia, and North Africa.[1][3] Widely known species includeLonicera periclymenum (common honeysuckle or woodbine),Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle, white honeysuckle, or Chinese honeysuckle) andLonicera sempervirens (coral honeysuckle, trumpet honeysuckle, or woodbine honeysuckle).L. japonica is a highlyinvasive species considered a significant pest in parts of North America, Europe, South America, New Zealand, Australia, and Africa.[3]
Some species are highly fragrant and colorful, so are cultivated as ornamental garden plants. In North America,hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers, especiallyL. sempervirens andL. ciliosa (orange honeysuckle). Honeysuckle derives its name from the edible sweetnectar obtainable from its tubular flowers.[4] The nameLonicera stems fromAdam Lonicer, a Renaissance botanist.[3]
Most species ofLonicera arehardy twining climbers, with a minority of shrubbyhabit.[3] Some species (includingLonicera hildebrandiana from the Himalayan foothills andL. etrusca from the Mediterranean) are tender and can be grown outside only in subtropical zones. Theleaves are opposite, simple oval, 1–10 cm (0.39–3.94 in) long; most aredeciduous but some areevergreen.
Many of the species have sweetly scented,bilaterally symmetricalflowers that produce a sweet, ediblenectar, and most flowers are borne in clusters of two (leading to the common name of"twinberry" for certain North American species). Both shrubby and vining sorts have strongly fibrous stems which have been used for binding and textiles.
Thefruit is a red, blue or black spherical or elongatedberry containing several seeds; in most species the berries are mildlypoisonous, but in a few (notablyLonicera caerulea) they are edible and grown for home use and commerce. Most honeysuckle berries are attractive to wildlife, which has led to species such asL. japonica andL. maackii spreading invasively outside of their home ranges. Many species ofLonicera are eaten by thelarvae of someLepidoptera species—see a list of Lepidoptera that feed on honeysuckles.
The spread ofL. japonica in North America began in the United States in 1806, and it was widely cultivated by the 1860s.[3] It was first discovered in Canada inOntario forests in 1976, and became invasive by 2007.[3]L. japonica was introduced in Australia between 1820 and 1840.[3]
Several species of honeysuckle have become invasive when introduced outside their native range, particularly in North America, Europe, South America, Australia, and Africa.[3] Invasive species includeL. japonica,L. maackii,L. morrowii,L. tatarica, and the hybrid between the last two,L. ×bella.[3]
Honeysuckles are valued as garden plants, for their ability to cover unsightly walls and outbuildings, their profuse tubular flowers in early summer, and the intense fragrance of many varieties. The hardy climbing types need their roots in shade, and their flowering tops in sunlight or very light shade. Varieties need to be chosen with care, as they can become substantial. Cultivars of the dense, small-leavedL. nitida are used as low, narrow hedges.[5]
Component analyses of berries from 27 differentcultivars and 3genotypes of edible honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea var.kamtschatica) showed the presence ofiridoids,anthocyanins,flavonols,flavanonols,flavones,flavan-3-ols, andphenolic acids.[13] While sugars determine the level of sweetness in the berries,organic acids andpolyphenols are responsible for the sour taste and tartness.[13] Some 51 of the same compounds in berries are found in flowers, although the proportions of these compounds varied among cultivars studied.[14]
Many insects in the orderLepidoptera visit honeysuckles as a food source. An example of this is the mothDeilephila elpenor. This nocturnal species of moth is especially attracted to honeysuckles, and they visit the flowers at night to feed on their nectar.[15]
^Kula, M; Głód, D; Krauze-Baranowska, M (2016). "Application of on-line and off-line heart-cutting LC in determination of secondary metabolites from the flowers ofLonicera caerulea cultivar varieties".Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis.131:316–326.doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2016.09.010.PMID27622313.
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