ExplorePlants

Japanese honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica

Japanese honeysuckle is a sweet-smelling plant that grows quickly and can climb up trees and fences. Its pretty flowers attract butterflies and bees, making gardens lively and colorful.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Japanese honeysuckle is a vigorous woody vine with opposing oval, dark green leaves. Its tubular flowers emerge white, fading to a creamy yellow, and are highly fragrant. It produces small, glossy black berries in the fall.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderDipsacalesFamilyCaprifoliaceaeGenusLonicera
Japanese honeysuckle
aromatic trait badgeflowering trait badgespring_blooming trait badgesummer_blooming trait badge
Japanese honeysuckle

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

In some countries, it's considered an 'alien invader' because it grows so quickly!

Its leaves can stay green all winter in warm places, giving it a secret advantage!

The sweet, nectar-filled flowers are a favorite treat for hummingbirds and butterflies!

This powerful vine can wrap around trees, sometimes even blocking their sunlight!

Special abilities

Ability

Vigorous Climber

Japanese honeysuckle can twist its stems around other plants or structures to climb high and reach sunlight.

Ability

Rapid Spreader

It grows extremely fast, allowing it to quickly cover large areas and outcompete other native plants.

Ability

Night Perfume

Its highly fragrant flowers release a strong, sweet scent at dusk, attracting nocturnal moths for pollination.

Ability

Birdseed Factory

It produces abundant black berries, providing food for birds and ensuring its seeds are widely dispersed.

Measurements & details

Height
300-900 cm
Flower Size
2-4 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eaten by

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

eats its dark berries, aiding seed dispersal.

pollinates

White-lined Sphinx Moth

Hyles lineata

visits its fragrant flowers for nectar at dusk.

shelters

Northern Cardinal

Cardinalis cardinalis

builds nests within its dense, protective vines.

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

gathers nectar and pollen from its sweet blooms.

Traits

Aromatic badge

Aromatic

Aromatic plants produce and emit fragrant volatile organic compounds, often for defense or to attract pollinators.

Flowering badge

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Spring Blooming badge

Spring Blooming

Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.

Summer Blooming badge

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Fragrant Flower badge

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Fruit Bearing badge

Fruit Bearing

Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.

Agricultural badge

Agricultural

This human use trait describes species cultivated or domesticated by humans for agricultural purposes, including crops and livestock.

Edible badge

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Pollinator Magnet badge

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Rapid Growing badge

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

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Urban Friendly

This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

Invasive badge

Invasive

Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

While the flowers are safe to smell, don't eat any parts of the plant without asking an adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Japanese honeysuckle?

300-900 cm

How big are the flowers on Japanese honeysuckle?

2-4 cm

When does Japanese honeysuckle bloom?

Late spring to fall

Is Japanese honeysuckle edible?

Yes

Is Japanese honeysuckle toxic?

Mild

What is Japanese honeysuckle's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Japanese honeysuckle pollinated?

Insect

Where is Japanese honeysuckle usually found?

Urban areas

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Where to spot

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