Lonicera hispidula

The perennial vine Lonicera hispidula is a species of honeysuckle known as pink honeysuckle and, less often, California honeysuckle. It is a low-elevation woodlands shrub or vine found on the West Coast of the United States.[2]

Lonicera hispidula
Lonicera hispidula in Anacortes, Washington
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Dipsacales
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Lonicera
Species:
L. hispidula
Binomial name
Lonicera hispidula
Synonyms[1]
  • Lonicera anisocalyx Rehder
  • Lonicera chaetocarpa (Batalin ex Rehder) Rehder
  • Lonicera finitima W.W. Sm.
  • Lonicera montigena Rehder

Description

Lonicera hispidula has distinctive leaves growing opposite on the stems, the uppermost pairs fused at the bases to surround the stem. At the end of the stem grow attractive pink honeysuckle blossoms.[3] It bears spherical red fruits which are edible but bitter.

Subspecies

There are two subspecies:[2]

  • Lonicera hispidula hispidula
  • Lonicera hispidula vacillans.

Uses

The stems are hollow and sturdy and were used by the Pomo people as smoking pipes.[4]

Lonicera hispidula is cultivated by specialty native plant plant nurseries as an ornamental plant for drought-tolerant wildlife gardens and natural landscaping in California. The flowers attract hummingbirds, other birds eat the fruits.

References
  1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  2. Jepson
  3. USDA
  4. University of Michigan-Dearborn


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