Honeysuckle
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| Honeysuckle | ||||||||||||
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Honeysuckles (genus Lonicera) are arching shrubs or twining vines, many with sweetly-scented, bell-shaped flowers. There are over 180 species of honeysuckle, the most common of which are Lonicera periclymenum (European honeysuckle), Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle, White honeysuckle, or Chinese honeysuckle) and Lonicera sempervirens (Coral honeysuckle, Trumpet honeysuckle, or Woodbine honeysuckle).
The leaves are opposite, simple oval, and from 1-10 cm long; most are deciduous but some are evergreen. The plant is eaten by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Mottled Beauty.
Japanese honeysuckle and Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) are considered invasive weeds in the United States, Japanese honeysuckle also in New Zealand. Honeysuckle can be controlled by cutting, flaming, or burning the plant to root level and repeating on two week increments until nutrient reserves in the roots are depleted. Honeysuckle can also be controlled through annual applications of glyphosate, or through grubbing if high labor and soil destruction are not of concern.
Lonicera xylosteum (Fly Honeysuckle) is a common homeopathic remedy, used for asthma, breathing difficulties and syphilis.
Lonicera periclymenum (European honeysuckle) is an uncommon homeopathic remedy, used for irritability with violent outbursts.