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Lonicera xylosteum: invasive?? #749594

Asked May 12, 2021, 6:54 PM EDT

Hello, I have not been able to verify if this specific non-native honeysuckle is invasive. I *believe* I have 2 of them in my backyard so would like to know if I should remove them. Pictures attached. Flowers are fragrant and berries grow later. Thank you for your time. -Jeannie

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

This looks to me more like Amur honeysuckle. There are three species of native honeysuckles in Maryland; Lonicera semperviens is most likely in your area but it has red flowers, not white. All of the white-flowering honeysuckles reported in our state are non-native and invasive and we do not recommend planting them. 

https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewChecklist.php?genus=Lonicera

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/exotic-bush-honeysuckles

Christa

Hi Christa,

Thank you for responding! We will remove them. But, I see that the Amur honeysuckle is fragrant, which those are, however we unfortunately also have a couple of honeysuckles in our front yard which have no fragrance. Are they another invasive species? Attached a couple photos.

Thank you,
Jeannie

-------- Original message --------
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: 5/13/21 12:18 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: Jeannie Khouri <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Lonicera xylosteum: invasive?? (#0019525)

The Question Asker Replied May 13, 2021, 3:08 PM EDT

This one too looks to me like one of the Asian bush honeysuckles. I was not able to find reliable information on the fragrance characteristics of all of the honeysuckles that are known to be present in Maryland. Also, fragrance is not a reliable characteristic for ID. Fragrance can vary by temperature (the oils volatilizing more in warm weather vs. cold), maturity of the blossoms (when ready to attract pollinators), and even by an individuals' sense of smell. The reproductive parts of a plant (flowers and fruits), as well as leaf and stem characteristics, are more reliable for identification. 

If you are interested, this is a very good publication that goes into detail about identifying invasive plants and look-alike plants. Honeysuckles are included. https://www.nybg.org/files/scientists/rnaczi/Mistaken_Identity_Final.pdf

Christa

Hi Christa,

I see, thanks for the info! We'll get rid of all of them ASAP, I wasn't fond of them to begin with but wildlife seemed to like them so wanted to make sure they were indeed harmful to the environment. I will plan on replacing with better plants that will benefit wildlife. Will check out the guide you sent.

Best,
Jeannie

-------- Original message --------
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: 5/14/21 12:27 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: Jeannie Khouri <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Lonicera xylosteum: invasive?? (#0019525)

The Question Asker Replied May 14, 2021, 12:49 PM EDT

You're welcome. If you like honeysuckles, I highly recommend the native coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). It is a great plant and the nectar is an excellent food for ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Also, check out this publication, Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping. 
https://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/pdf/NativePlantsforWildlifeHabitatandConservationLandscaping.pdf

Christa

Thank you!

-------- Original message --------
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Date: 5/14/21 12:56 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: Jeannie Khouri <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Lonicera xylosteum: invasive?? (#0019525)

The Question Asker Replied May 15, 2021, 10:50 AM EDT

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