How to identify Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)

How to identify Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)

Amur honeysuckle, also known as Late honeysuckle

Amur honeysuckle is a deciduous shrub that typically grows to 15 feet (4.5 m) tall. This plant has a round, bushy appearance and features opposite, ovate to lanceolate leaves that are 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm) long. Its bark is tan or gray, often developing a ridged and furrowed texture with age. In the spring, amur honeysuckle produces fragrant, creamy white flowers that are tube-shaped and about 2 inches (5 cm) long, followed by bright red to blackish berries in the fall. The leaves of amur honeysuckle may turn a yellow-green or sometimes a reddish color in autumn before falling.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Amur honeysuckle

Deciduous shrub growing up to 15 feet (4.5 m) tall with a round, bushy appearance.

Fragrant, creamy white tube-shaped flowers about 2 inches (5 cm) long in spring.

Bright red to blackish berries that maintain spherical shape and dark red color.

Oppositely arranged leaves with dark green upper surface and lighter underside, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long.

Hollow stem with white or tan pith, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in diameter, and dense branching pattern.

Detailed Traits of Amur honeysuckle

Leaf Features

The leaves of amur honeysuckle are arranged oppositely on the stem and exhibit a distinct dark green hue on their upper surface, contrasting with their lighter green underside. Each leaf tapers into a long point, giving it an elongated shape. Typically, the leaves measure about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm) in length. They have a smooth texture, and the veins are prominently visible, creating a fine network that adds to their structural definition.

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Flower Features

The flowers of amur honeysuckle bloom in late April and are known for their fragrant scent. They appear in erect pairs and initially display a pristine white color, gradually turning yellow as they mature. Each flower consists of 4 fused petals, creating a symmetrical and tubular shape. The blooms typically measure about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length, making them a delicate and visually appealing feature of the plant.

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Stem Features

The stem of amur honeysuckle is characterized by its hollow, white or tan pith in mature specimens. The hollow core is a distinctive feature, aiding identification. Stems are smooth, with a light gray-brown bark, and typically grow to be 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in diameter. They exhibit a dense branching pattern with opposite arrangement. The texture is somewhat rough due to lenticels, which provide additional structural details to the outer surface.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of amur honeysuckle is a striking spherical berry approximately 1/4 inch (6.35 mm) in diameter. These fruits showcase a glossy, dark red hue when mature, adding visual interest. Its surface presents a slightly textured appearance, yet the fruit is typically smooth to the touch. Notably, these berries maintain their coloration and spherical shape throughout their maturity, providing a distinctive characteristic for identification purposes.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Amur honeysuckle and Their Similar Plants

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

Japanese honeysuckle (*Lonicera japonica*) is a twining vine native to East Asia. It features white-yellow flowers that emit a pleasant, sweet aroma and are often visited by pollinators such as honeybees, but some parts of the plant are toxic to humans. In landscaping, japanese honeysuckle is used as a groundcover because its dense, fast-growing nature helps prevent weeds and improve soil health.

Tatarian honeysuckle vs. Amur 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. Amur 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. Amur 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. Amur 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. Amur 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. Amur 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. Amur 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 Amur honeysuckle

Attributes of Amur honeysuckle

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

6 m

Spread

3 m to 4.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

White

Yellow

Fruit Color

Red

Burgundy

Orange

Stem Color

Green

White

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Amur honeysuckle

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Amur honeysuckle

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Honeysuckles, moschatels and allies

Family

Honeysuckle

Genus

Honeysuckles

Species

Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)

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Distribution Map of Amur honeysuckle

Amur honeysuckle is native to the eastern part of the Asian continent. Its natural ecosystem is in woodlands and thickets. It has become naturalized in much of the United States, where it is considered seriously invasive.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Amur honeysuckle

A Comprehensive Guide to Amur honeysuckle How to Grow and Care for Amur honeysuckle