How to identify Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

How to identify Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Japanese honeysuckle, also known as Honeysuckle vine

Japanese honeysuckle is a deciduous or semi-evergreen vine that exhibits vigorous growth, reaching lengths of up to 30 feet (9 meters). An adept climber, this species produces delicate, tubular-shaped flowers that can be white, transitioning to yellow with age, and offer a potent, sweet fragrance detectable from a distance. These blossoms typically bloom in succession from late spring to fall. The leaves are oval to oblong, range from 1.5 to 3 inches (4 to 8 cm) in length, and are oppositely arranged along the stems. Note that due to its robust growth, japanese honeysuckle has been identified as a problematic species in some areas.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Vine

Leaf Type: Semi-evergreen

Quickly Identify Japanese honeysuckle

Tubular flowers transition from white to yellow, emitting a potent sweet fragrance (1-1.5 inches).

Opposite oval leaves (1.5-3 inches) with smooth texture and reticulate veins.

Berries start green, turning red, then dark blue-black, containing distinctive oval seeds with pronounced ridges.

Reddish stem with fuzzy texture in youth, aging to woody with peeling bark.

Slender trunk with peeling bark in long strips, lightly textured, reaching no more than 2 inches.

Detailed Traits of Japanese honeysuckle

Leaf Features

Japanese honeysuckle leaves are opposite and occur in pairs along the stem. They are simple, ovate to oblong-ovate in shape with entire (smooth) or sometimes lobed margins. Juvenile leaves are finely pubescent on both sides, becoming smooth or softly hairy as they mature. The leaves are generally oblong to oval, measuring about 1.2 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm) long, with short petioles. The texture is smooth, and the vein pattern is reticulate.

Leaf Shape

Lanceolate ,

Ovate ,

Obovate

Leaf Type

Simple

Leaf Base

Cordate ,

Circular

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Apex

Acuminate ,

Obtuse

Leaf Margin

Entire

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Japanese honeysuckle flowers showcase a captivating transformation from white to creamy yellow as they bloom from late spring into fall. Each flower, measuring 1-1.5 inches (2.5-3.8 cm), possesses a 1- to 2-inch (2.5-5 cm) long tubular, 2-lipped structure formed by five united petals. These fragrant, honey-like blooms are presented in paired arrangements within leaf axils. Their sweet, strong scent and nectar-rich base make them a delight for both humans and pollinators.

Corolla Type

Bilabiate

Inflorescence Type

Fascicle

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of japanese honeysuckle starts as reddish and softly hairy, becoming fuzzy or slightly pubescent. Younger stems are thin and pliable, while older stems grow thicker, becoming woody with age. Mature stems also exhibit peeling strips of bark and a hollow interior. These features, including the reddish hue and fuzzy texture in younger stages, as well as the woody, peeling bark in older stages, are distinct characteristics that aid in the identification of japanese honeysuckle.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of japanese honeysuckle typically manifests as rounded berries, approximately 7 mm in diameter. Immature berries present a green hue, which transitions to red before ultimately maturing to a deep blue-black coloration. Within each ripe berry reside 2-3 dark brown seeds, oval to oblong in shape, measuring around 0.6 cm (roughly 1/4 inch) in length. Each seed is distinctive in its structure, featuring one side with three pronounced ridges and the other side that is either flat or subtly concave in form.

Fruit Type

Berry

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Japanese honeysuckle and Their Similar Plants

Amur honeysuckle vs. Japanese honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Amur honeysuckle is a massively-branched, perennial shrub with dark green leaves, aromatic white flowers, and luscious burgundy berries that are inedible to humans but relished by birds propagating the seeds. This East Asian native shrub has been utilized in landscape decoration, wildlife cover, and erosion control. However, it is no longer recommended for planting due to invasiveness issues.

Tatarian honeysuckle vs. Japanese honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Native to Siberia and East Asia, the tatarian honeysuckle was introduced to North America in 1752 as an ornamental plant. However, it is now out of control and widely considered as an invasive plant in North America. Though centimeter-sized fruits look delicious, they are NOT edible to humans, actually.

European honeysuckle vs. Japanese honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

European honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is a flowering plant native to Europe, North Africa, and Turkey. As all honeysuckle, european honeysuckle's flowers are white when they are just blooming and gradually turn yellow. Its flowers are high scented at night and attract moths and bees as pollinators.

Trumpet honeysuckle vs. Japanese honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is an eastern United States vine. It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Trumpet honeysuckle is grown for ornamental purposes, often as an alternative to the invasive species Japanese honeysuckle.

Boxleaf Honeysuckle vs. Japanese honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Boxleaf Honeysuckle is cultivated and popular as a fast-growing evergreen or semi-evergreen hedge that takes well to clipping. The common name 'Boxleaf Honeysuckle' refers to the fact that the small oval leaves resemble Boxwood shrubs, and its use as a hedge or a screen makes the similarities even more meaningful.

Winter honeysuckle vs. Japanese honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Lonicera fragrantissima, or winter honeysuckle, is a large deciduous bush with a delightful, strong fragrance. The nectar in the creamy white flowers attracts many bees, but the fruit of the winter honeysuckle is toxic.

Henry's honeysuckle vs. Japanese honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Henry's honeysuckle (Lonicera acuminata) is a tropical vine that is frequently visited by butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Its climbing nature makes it a great wall plant for attracting wildlife into ornamental gardens. In the Philippines, the plant's sturdy stems are used as bindings in the construction of fences.

Limber honeysuckle vs. Japanese honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Limber honeysuckle (*Lonicera dioica*) is a perennial vine species related to honeysuckle. It is native to Canada and the eastern and central United States. Also known as wild honeysuckle, it blooms from spring to summer and prefers partial to full shade.

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Key Facts About Japanese honeysuckle

Attributes of Japanese honeysuckle

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Vine

Plant Height

2 m to 9 m

Spread

90 cm to 1.8 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2 cm to 6 cm

Flower Color

White

Yellow

Pink

Purple

Fruit Color

Black

Stem Color

Green

White

Yellow

Purple

Brown

Leaf type

Semi-evergreen

The Toxicity of Japanese honeysuckle

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Japanese honeysuckle

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Honeysuckles, moschatels and allies

Family

Honeysuckle

Genus

Honeysuckles

Species

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

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Distribution Map of Japanese honeysuckle

Japanese honeysuckle is native to eastern Asia. Used as a garden ornamental, it has been naturalized widely in the United States, as well as in scattered countries around the globe. It can grow on floodplains, in loose woodland, and in grassland and scrub areas. It is considered seriously invasive in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Japanese honeysuckle

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