Japanese Honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica

Family: Caprifoliaceae.

Form: Vine

Origin: China, Japan and Taiwan.

Flowers/Seedhead: Flowers: In pairs, fragrant, white, some burgundy outside, turning cream to pale orange. Flowers mostly spring to autumn.

Description: Semi-deciduous scrambling or climbing shrub to 8 m high. Young stems with a covering of short, weak, dense hairs. Leaves opposite with a conspicuous ridge between opposite leaf stalks; ovate to about 7 cm long. Leaves sparsely hairy at first becoming hairless on upper surface with age. Fruit almost globe-shaped, 0.4–1 cm long, shiny black.

Distinguishing features: Distinguished by its climbing stems that are covered with dense, short hairs when young. Flower shape (see picture) and lobed leaves of juvenile growth.

Dispersal: Seeds dispersed by water and birds and locally by spreading stems.