Coral Honeysuckle

lonicera sempervirens

Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), also known as trumpet honeysuckle, is a stunning evergreen to semi-evergreen woody vine native to the eastern United States. Celebrated for its breathtaking clusters of narrow, tubular red-and-yellow flowers, this vigorous climber is a favorite of gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Unlike its highly invasive relative, the Japanese honeysuckle, Coral Honeysuckle is non-invasive and plays a vital role in supporting local ecosystems. It climbs gracefully by twining its stems around supports, draping fences, trellises, and native shrubs in vibrant color from spring through autumn. Beyond its ornamental charm, Coral Honeysuckle is an ecological powerhouse. It serves as a major nectar source for migrating hummingbirds and a larval host for several beautiful moth species. Its glossy, dark green leaves are paired or fused around the stem, providing excellent structure. Towards the end of the season, the vibrant flowers transition into bright red berries that sustain songbirds through the autumn and winter months. Discover and identify species like Coral Honeysuckle with the Snappit app.

Habitat: Found in open woodlands, pine flatwoods, forest edges, clearings, and along roadsides and fencerows.

Appearance

This woody climbing vine features slender, twining stems and pairs of opposite, oval-shaped leaves that are glossy green on top and glaucous blue-green underneath. The most distinctive foliage feature is the uppermost pair of leaves, which are fused together around the stem to form a single, circular disc. The striking tubular flowers grow in whorled clusters of four to six, showcasing a bright coral-red exterior and a contrasting yellow interior. As the flowers fade, they are replaced by small, shiny, translucent red berries that cluster tightly together.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderDipsacalesFamilyCaprifoliaceaeGenusLonicera

Coral Honeysuckle

Interesting facts

Scentless by Design: Unlike the highly fragrant, invasive Japanese honeysuckle, native Coral Honeysuckle flowers have almost no scent because hummingbirds, their primary pollinators, hunt by sight rather than smell.

The Trumpet Name: It is frequently called the trumpet honeysuckle due to the elongated, narrow trumpet shape of its bright red-orange blossoms.

Wildlife Lifesaver: During late summer and autumn, its berries provide a critical, moisture-rich energy source for songbirds preparing for migration.

Special abilities

Features bright red, scentless, tubular flowers designed perfectly for the long bills of hummingbirds, providing abundant high-energy nectar.

The upper leaves fuse into a single disc, structurally reinforcing the stem to support heavy flower clusters and acting as a barrier to crawling insect pests.

Climbs without damaging host plants by winding its slender, flexible woody stems around supports rather than using aggressive clinging roots or tendrils.

Measurements & details

Length: 300+ cm
Lifespan: 10+ years

Diet & Feeding

As a photoautotrophic plant, Coral Honeysuckle synthesizes its own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water through the process of photosynthesis.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Water
Carbon Dioxide
Soil Nutrients

Foraging Method

Photosynthesis

Ecological connections

mutualism

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Pollinates the flowers while feeding on the rich nectar.

host plant

Snowberry Clearwing

Hemaris diffinis

Uses the plant as a host, with caterpillars feeding on the foliage.

eaten by

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

Feeds on the ripe red berries during autumn and winter, dispersing the seeds.

Traits

No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Coral Honeysuckle?

The easiest way to identify Coral Honeysuckle is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Coral Honeysuckle?

300+ cm

How long does Coral Honeysuckle live?

10+ years

What does Coral Honeysuckle eat?

As a photoautotrophic plant, Coral Honeysuckle synthesizes its own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water through the process of photosynthesis.

Where is Coral Honeysuckle usually found?

Found in open woodlands, pine flatwoods, forest edges, clearings, and along roadsides and fencerows.

How does Coral Honeysuckle hunt?

Photosynthesis