Warning

Seek medical attention if exposure results in symptoms.

Description

An evergreen woody climber or trailing shrub with fragrant flowers cultivated as a garden ornamental growing up to 10m, young growth softly hairy with flaky bark on older stems.

Highly fragrant white flowers to 4cm long turning yellowish with age are tubular and two-lipped with the upper lip 2 to 4 lobed. Flowers have long protruding stamens and are borne in pairs towards the ends of branches.

Leaves are green, opposite, ovate to oblong/ovate, pointed at the tip and rounded at the base, up to 8cm long and to 3cm wide with prominent veins.

Toxicity

  • Potentially toxic

  • Irritant to skin or eyes

Symptoms

This plant is not considered poisonous. Contact dermatitis may occur in sensitive individuals.

Images

Japanese honeysuckle plant
Photo by Lorna Ngugi
Japanese honeysuckle shrub
Photo by Lorna Ngugi

Details

Common name: Japanese honeysuckle

Botanical nameLonicera japonica.

Other common names: Honeysuckle

Family: Caprifoliaceae

General description: An evergreen woody climber or trailing shrub with fragrant flowers cultivated as a garden ornamental growing up to 10m, young growth softly hairy with flaky bark on older stems.

Flowers: Highly fragrant white flowers to 4cm long turning yellowish with age are tubular and two-lipped with the upper lip 2 to 4 lobed. Flowers have long protruding stamens and are borne in pairs towards the ends of branches.

Leaves: Leaves are green, opposite, ovate to oblong/ovate, pointed at the tip and rounded at the base, up to 8cm long and to 3cm wide with prominent veins.

Fruit/Berries: The fruit are succulent glossy black berries 6 to 10mm long and about 6mm in diameter.