Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

Amur honeysuckle

Lonicera maackii

(Rupr.) Herder

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Shrub

Habitat: Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): Amur bush honeysuckle

Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Plant

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Plant

Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia

Plant

David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia

Fruit

Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia

Fruit

Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia

Foliage

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Fruit

Chris Evans, University of Illinois

Flower

John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy

Flower

Annemarie Smith, ODNR Division of Forestry

Seedling

David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia

Bark

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Bark

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Description

Appearance
Lonicera maackii is a woody perennial shrub that can grow up to 16.5 ft. (5 m) in height.
Foliage
The oppositely arranged leaves are ovate to lance-ovate in shape and measure 1.3-3.3 in. (3.5-8.5 cm) long. The tips of the leaves are acuminate. The leaves are dark green above and lighter on the lower surface. The veins of the leaves are pubescent.
Flowers
The white flowers are found in erect pairs that are on peduncles shorter than the petioles. The flowers measure 0.6-0.75 in. (1.5-2 cm) long and are bilabiate. The flowers appear on the plant from late May to early June, which is later than the other honeysuckles.
Fruit
The fruit are dark red in color, spherical in shape and measure 0.25 in. (6 mm) in diameter. The fruit become ripe on the plant in the late fall.
Ecological Threat
Lonicera maackii can form large stands that prevent native shrubs and herbaceous understory plants from growing. The fruits persist on the branches into the winter, when birds feed on them. In the spring, Lonicera maackii is one of the first plants to leaf out, giving it a competitive advantage. This shrub can bear fruit when it is as young as 3 to 5 years old. Though Lonicera maackii has not yet become a major problem in New England, it is very troublesome in the southern and midwestern parts of the country.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): Yes

All Uses (GRIN): Ornamental

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is a Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

No Data

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

No Data

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)

No Data


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Dipsacales
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Lonicera
Subject: Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder

Resources