Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Lonicera japonica is known by the common name Japanese Honeysuckle. It’s almost ubiquitous in this area and is probably considered a pest by a lot of people. It doesn’t grow out of control like Kudzu but it will cover bushes and has to be controlled in the garden. It can be used to advantage as a ground and fence cover. It is very fragrant and, often, the fragrance is the first indication that it’s flowering.

A cluster of flowers.

Recently opened flower. At the early stage, the flower tube is pink. The green stigma and golden anthers are clearly visible.

Mature flowers. Flowers turn gold as they age.

Close up of a mature flower.

A mature flower, in profile.

Vines. These are relatively young; they’re about 1 inch in diameter.

Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) is native to Asia but grows quite widely in the United States and in Ontario, Canada.
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Distribution Map:
- United States Department of Agriculture Plants Database: Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)
- University of North Carolina Herbarium: Lonicera japonica

Identification resources:
- Southeastern Flora: Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
- Natural and Naturalized Plants of the Carolinas and Georgia: Lonicera japonica
- Missouri Plants: Lonicera japonica

Related posts:
- 2010: Year Of The Wildflower – Wildflower Index