Page 39 - A Field Guide to Fairfax County's Plants and Wildlife
P. 39
anese Honeysuckle

(Lonicera japonica)

Description There are many different species of
honeysuckle. In addition to this vine
This perennial climbing vine is a species, Fairfax County has several
non-native invasive. In Virginia, bush-type honeysuckles which are
the leaves are semi-evergreen also non-native and invasive. There
as they last into the winter. is a native honeysuckle vine called
Leaves are opposite and oval in Coral or Trumpet Honeysuckle
shape. Sweet-smelling flowers (L. sempervirens) for its spectacular,
are produced from April to July. bright-red tubular flowers.
The flowers are white at first, Although it is rare to see the native
and then turn yellow after being honeysuckle in the wild, you may
pollinated. Small black fruits find it in a landscaped flowerbed.
form in the fall. It reproduces by
seed and rhizomes.

Distribution and Habitat

It is common in all five
physiographic provinces.

Role in Food Web

Japanese Honeysuckle is a
food source for White-Tailed
Deer, Eastern Cottontail Rabbits,
Groundhogs, honeybees,
swallowtail butterflies, Wild Turkeys,
hummingbirds and songbirds such
as American Robins and sparrows.

r 35 r
   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44