BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Lonicera japonica | Japanese Honeysuckle 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Japanese honeysuckle is an exotic, fast-growing, trailing or climbing
evergreen vine that can become shrublike when growing in forest margins
or fencerows [13].  Individual vines are typically 6.5 to 10 feet
(2.0-3.0 m) in length.  The plant forms dense mats and thickets through
subsequent branching, nodal rooting, and vegetative sprouting [7,14].
Its dense vines climb on the trunks and branches of large trees and
shrubs and will even climb on other vines.  It has a dense root system
that may extend laterally for a distance of 7 to 10 feet (2-3 m) and
attain depths of 3 to 4 feet (1.0-1.5 m) [32].  The flowers and fruits
are on peduncles in leaf axils.  The fruit is a berrylike drupe with
three to five one-seeded stones [5,13].


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Phanerophyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Japanese honeysuckle produces large quantities of seed which are
disseminated by birds, mammals, and floodwaters [33].  Once established,
it reproduces vegetatively by rooting from the nodes of runners which
come into contact with the soil [11,32].

Growth:  Japanese honeysuckle grows rapidly and results in extensive
twining and climbing of the existing vegetation.  Individual stems and
branches that emerge from lateral buds on the stems may grow several
feet in length during one season [5,32].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Japanese honeysuckle is found from low, wet bottomlands to mesic upland
forests [7,13].  It grows well on clay soils, with a pH ranging from 6.0
to 7.5.  Growth is best on well-drained forest soils [18].  Japanese
honeysuckle adapts readily to a wide range of climatic conditions, but
it is not hardy in the Northeast.  The species grows in the sand plains
of Louisiana and the oak forests of the Adirondacks.  It rarely occurs
above 1,200 feet (365 m) in elevation [18,37].


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Japanese honeysuckle can be found in all stages of forest succession.
The plant will quickly invade following clearcutting, fire, windthrow,
or temporary openings in the forest canopy.  Japanese honeysuckle is
shade tolerant and will respond to more favorable light conditions
with greatly increased growth, dominating the area in a relatively short
time [5,19].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
Japanese honeysuckle flowers from June through September in the
Northeast and from April through July in the Southeast.  Occasionally,
flowering takes place in March through October in the southern states.
The fruit ripens from August to November [18,37].

Related categories for Species: Lonicera japonica | Japanese Honeysuckle