Honeysuckle

For an article on the New Zealand honeysuckle tree see Rewarewa.

Lonicera albiflora
Lonicera arizonica
Lonicera x bella
Lonicera caerulea
Lonicera canadensis
Lonicera caprifolium
Lonicera chrysantha
Lonicera ciliosa
Lonicera conjugialis
Lonicera dioica
Lonicera etrusca
Lonicera flava
Lonicera fragrantissima
Lonicera x heckrottii
Lonicera hirsuta
Lonicera hispidula
Lonicera interrupta
Lonicera involucrata
Lonicera japonica
Lonicera korolkowii
Lonicera maackii
Lonicera x minutiflora
Lonicera morrowii
Lonicera x notha
Lonicera oblongifolia
Lonicera periclymenum
Lonicera reticulata
Lonicera ruprechtiana
Lonicera sempervirens
Lonicera standishii
Lonicera subspicata
Lonicera tatarica
Lonicera utahensis
Lonicera villosa
Lonicera x xylosteoides
Lonicera xylosteum
Ref: ITIS 35281

Honeysuckles (genus Lonicera) are arching shrubs or twining vines, many with sweetly-scented, bell-shaped flowers. There are over 180 species of honeysuckle, the most common of which are Lonicera periclymenum (European honeysuckle), Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle, White honeysuckle, or Chinese honeysuckle) and Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle, Trumpet honeysuckle, or Woodbine honeysuckle).

The leaves are opposite, simple oval, and from 1-10 cm long; most are deciduous but some are evergreen.

Japanese honeysuckle and Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) are considered invasive weeds in the United States, Japanese honeysuckle also in New Zealand. Honeysuckle can be controlled by cutting, flaming, or burning the plant to root level and repeating on two week increments until nutrient reserves in the roots are depleted. Honeysuckle can also be controlled through annual applications of glyphosate, or through grubbing if high labor and soil destruction are not of concern.

Lonicera xylosteum (Fly Honeysuckle ) is a common homeopathic remedy, used for asthma, breathing difficulties and syphilis.

Lonicera periclymenum (European honeysuckle) is an uncommon homeopathic remedy, used for irritability with violent outbursts.