Japanese Honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica

Weed Description
A climbing or trailing vine with attractive and fragrant flowers. Japanese honeysuckle is primarily a weed of fence rows, landscapes, nurseries, and container ornamentals. This weed is now distributed throughout the United States, but is primarily a problem in the southeastern states.

Leaves
Leaves are hairy and arranged oppositely along the stem. Leaves are ovate to elliptic in outline, reaching 3 inches in length and 2 inches in width. Leaves occur on short petioles that range from 3 to 10 mm in length.

Stems
Climb on other vegetation or trail along the ground. Stems become woody with maturity. Stems are usually hairy but sometimes may be without hairs.

Flowers
Flowers occur in pairs and arise from the positions between the stems and leaves (leaf axils). Flower pairs occur on short flower stalks (peduncles). Individual flowers are very fragrant, and are white to yellow in color.

Fruit
A round, black berry approximately 6 mm in diameter.

Identifying Characteristics
Climbing or trailing vine with opposite, hairy leaves and fragrant white or yellow flowers. Morrows Bush-Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) and Tatarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) are both species that resemble japanese honeysuckle, however both of these weeds have red berries and are more shrub-like when compared to japanese honeysuckle.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Japanese Honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica

Trouble identifying a weed?