How to identify Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica)

How to identify Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica)

Tatarian honeysuckle exhibits a robust, shrubby form with a tangle of upright branches that can reach up to 10 feet (3 meters) in height. The twigs within this dense network are characteristically hollow. Its leaves emerge early in the spring season, presenting a fresh green hue. The foliage is known for its ovate shape, typically measuring around 1-2.5 inches (2.5-6.3 centimeters) long. While the description avoids details of flower and fruit, these leaf characteristics are noteworthy for identification.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Tatarian honeysuckle

Trumpet-shaped flowers in pairs, 0.7-1 inch (1.8-2.5 cm), red to white, blooming May-June.

Distinct bluish-green leaves, ovate, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long, with pinnate veins.

Small, round berries, 0.25 inches (6.35 mm), orange to red, often in pairs.

Robust, shrubby form, twigs hollow, 10 feet (3 meters) tall, ovate leaves.

Distinctive bark with smooth to rugged texture, gray to brown, peeling in vertical strips.

Detailed Traits of Tatarian honeysuckle

Leaf Features

The leaves of tatarian honeysuckle are distinctly bluish-green, ranging in length from 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) and width from 0.5 to 1.5 inches (1.3 to 3.8 cm). They have a simple, ovate shape with smooth margins. The upper surface of the leaves is bluish-green, while the underside is a lighter, pale green. The leaves exhibit a pinnate vein pattern, with a prominent central vein and fine lateral veins branching outward.

Leaf Shape

Ovate

Leaf Base

Cordate

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Apex

Obtuse

Leaf Texture

Herbaceous

Leaf Margin

Revolute

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Flower Features

Tatarian honeysuckle's flowers are trumpet-shaped, measuring approximately 0.7 to 1 inch (1.8 to 2.5 cm), and appear in pairs in the axils of the leaves from May to June. Each flower is deeply 5-lobed and tubular, with colors typically ranging from pink to red, and on rare occasions, white. These distinctive characteristics, including the flower's shape, size, and blooming period, make them easily identifiable for plant enthusiasts.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of tatarian honeysuckle is characterized by small, round berries, each measuring approximately 0.25 inches (about 6.35 mm) in diameter. These berries typically exhibit a vibrant orange to red hue upon reaching maturity. Their surface encases numerous tiny seeds, and their robust nature allows them to remain on the plant through the winter months. The berries are usually found in pairs, adding a distinctive visual appeal that persists even when the landscape is devoid of other colors.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Tatarian honeysuckle and Their Similar Plants

Amur honeysuckle vs. Tatarian 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.

Japanese honeysuckle vs. Tatarian 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.

European honeysuckle vs. Tatarian 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. Tatarian 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. Tatarian 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. Tatarian 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. Tatarian 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. Tatarian 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 Tatarian honeysuckle

Attributes of Tatarian honeysuckle

Spread

3 m to 3.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Blue

Flower Size

1.8 cm to 2.5 cm

Flower Color

White

Pink

Red

Fruit Color

Red

Stem Color

Green

Pink

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Tatarian honeysuckle

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Tatarian honeysuckle

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Honeysuckles, moschatels and allies

Family

Honeysuckle

Genus

Honeysuckles

Species

Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica)

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Distribution Map of Tatarian honeysuckle

Tatarian honeysuckle is native to temperate, exotic climates on both hemispheres, from Eastern Europe to Central Siberia and Northwest and Northeast China. It grows naturally in disturbed land. Introduction place of tatarian honeysuckle has mainly taken place in Canada and the Midwest of the United States, where it is considered invasive.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Tatarian honeysuckle

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