Japanese honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
Print Page
Send Via EmailOverview
Photo credit: JVM-https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/6281203
Lonicera japonica - Japanese honeysuckle
Habitat:
- Woodland edges, scrub, hedgerows and banks
- Also found on wastelands
Description:
- Semi-evergreen and perennial
- A climber that can spread up to 10m
- Leaves are arranged in pairs, are rounded and 3-8 cm long
- Has white tubular shaped flowers which turn yellow over time
- Flowers produce black, round fruits 4-8mm in size
- Can reproduce sexually or vegetatively
- Seeds can be spread by birds or other animals
Origin and Distribution:
- Native to eastern Asia
- Introduced to GB in 1937
- This plant is also found in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and south America
Impacts:
- Outcompetes native plants preventing natural succession
- Can also change the bird population as the native plants disappear
- Can kill trees by strangling them as they climb
- Can interfere with hedges and telephone lines which then need to be replaced
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- It is found in Northern Ireland. Distribution maps can be found at BSBI
How did it get here?
- Brought in for cultivation and as a medicinal plant
- May have also been used to stabilise banks and provide nectar for pollinators
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Prevent Spread
- Promote native species and biodiversity - use alternative, native plants
- Know what you are buying/growing and source native Irish seed and plants
- Do not swap plants and cuttings
- Follow control advice and watch out for hitchhikers - inspect new imported purchases for invasive pest and pathogens
- Never collect plants from the wild
- Safe disposal of plant material and growing media
- Report all sightings.
Current Legislation Position (Northern Ireland only):
- Lonicera japonica is listed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and as such, under Article 15 it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause this species to grow in the wild.