: Lonicera sibirica, Lonicera tatarica L. var. latifolia
: Bush honeysuckle
: Common in urban areas and also occurs in rural areas where it was recommended for wildlife until its invasive traits became apparent; forms dense thickets; reduces tree and shrub regeneration, decreases overall plant diversity.
: Deciduous upright to spreading shrub growing to 4 m (12 ft) tall; shallow roots.
: Simple, opposite, oval to oblong, short, hairless, leaves with pointed tips, 3-6 cm long and 2-4 cm wide with smooth margins, dark green above and paler beneath, early leaf out, long growing season.
: Twigs are slender, brown to reddish with brown pith; multiple stems; numerous arching branches; older branches often hollow; bark is light gray, somewhat exfoliating.
: Small, pink to white in color, even red occasionally; tubular, fragrant, paired flowers on long (1.5-2.5 cm) stalks arising from the leaf axils; blooms May through June.
Fruit and seeds
: Abundant, red or orange paired berries.
: Sun and shade tolerant; occurs in a variety of soil and moisture conditions; commonly found along roadsides and on disturbed sites; invades forest, savannas and prairies.
: By seeds dispersed by birds.
: Natives Canadian fly honeysuckle (L. canadensis
), Twinberry honeysuckle (L. involucrate
), Swamp fly honeysuckle (L. oblongifolia
) and Mountain fly honeysuckle (L. villosa
) are relatively short and sparse in comparison with non-native species and lack hollow stems on older branches.
Monitoring and rapid response
: Monitor sunny, upland sites and open forests in spring as non-native honeysuckle leafs out before natives. Begin control efforts in highest quality areas; hand pull or dig small plants, removing all roots; target large, fruit-bearing plants for control/removal; foliar spray may be effective for large populations where few natives are present; treat cut stumps with herbicide; basal bark treatment is also effective, spray bottom 18 inches of all stems. Where fuel is present, prescribed fire may provide effective control of seedlings in fire adapted communities.
: The Michigan Natural Features Inventory
(MNFI) has partnered with MISIN to provide the information in this fact sheet. Species images and/or information were used with permission from "A Field Identification Guide to Invasive Plants in Michigan's Natural Communities
" and "A Field Guide to Invasive Plants of Aquatic and Wetland Habitats for Michigan