Amur Honeysuckle

Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)

 

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Amur Honeysuckle: 

·         Deciduous woody shrub in the Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae) native to Asia, with dark green, opposite leaves, 2-3 inches long that taper to a point (other invasive honeysuckles have rounded leaf tips)

·         Normally grows 5-6 feet tall, but can reach up to 30 feet with branches leaning on other vegetation

·         Branches tend to arch out and be more horizontal toward the tips, with leaves on opposite sides of the twigs, and flowers on the topside of the branches

·         Flowers are in pairs or small clusters in the axils of the leaves in early to mid spring, and are creamy-white and fragrant, with strap-like petals that fade to yellow

·         Fruit is a showy, red, fleshy berry that is readily consumed by birds

·         Was widely planted as a low-maintenance, flowering shrub, attractive to birds, but has escaped cultivation and now is quite abundant in fields, disturbed areas and open woods in Missouri

·         Other species of non-native honeysuckle include Morrow’s Honeysuckle and Tatarian Honeysuckle (they are described later in this list), so it is best not to plant any of these in landscaping in any part of Missouri