Grape honeysuckle is a twining woody vine, sometimes somewhat bushy when no support is present.
Flowers in clusters at the end of stems on new growth; clusters are arranged in 2–6 whorls or layers, which are usually separated along the stalk; flowers are pale yellow, fragrant, ¾–1 inch long, tubular, slender, noticeably enlarged on one side at the base, smooth on the outside, hairy inside; the tip of the tube strongly spreading into 2 lips, one lip with a single narrow lobe, the other lip with 4 short lobes; stamens protrude beyond the flower.
Blooms April–June.
Leaves are simple, opposite, connected by a broad base, pointed, the upper surface with a white (glaucous) coating. The inflorescence is subtended by a pair of leaves connected to form a disk about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide.
Fruits are crowded in heads at the ends of stems; the clusters are arranged in 2–6 whorls or layers, which are usually separated along the stalk; the berries are red to orangish red, globe-shaped, about ¼ inch across, and fleshy.
Key identifiers: One quick way to tell this honeysuckle from the introduced and invasive Japanese honeysuckle is the pair of joined leaves just below the flower clusters: Japanese honeysuckle has no leaves joined in this fashion.
Similar species: Several other species of honeysuckles (Lonicera) occur in Missouri. Below are the ones you are most likely to encounter.
- In addition to grape honeysuckle (L. reticulata), other native Missouri species of honeysuckles include yellow honeysuckle (L. flava) and limber honeysuckle (L. dioica). Our three Missouri native honeysuckles are all woody vines.
- Another woody, vining honeysuckle you may encounter in natural places is trumpet or coral honeysuckle (L. sempervirens). It is not native to Missouri but is native to US states to our east and south and is not particularly invasive in Missouri. It has bright red or orangish-red flowers and is scattered mostly south of the Missouri River, often persisting in places where people planted it long ago.
- Unfortunately, some nonnative, invasive honeysuckles are well-established in Missouri, too: Japanese honeysuckle (L. japonica, a woody vine), and bush honeysuckles (L. x bella and L. maackii, which are shrubs). These are native to Eurasia, outcompete and overwhelm native plant communities, and harm the natural environment.
Stem length: to 15 feet.
Grows natively in the northern two-thirds of the state, but it is cultivated statewide.
Habitat and Conservation
Occurs in open woods, wooded slopes, bluffs ledges, upper slopes, wooded thickets.
Status
Native Missouri woody vine.
Human Connections
Their beautiful, fragrant flowers, attractiveness to hummingbirds and butterflies, and overall hardiness make honeysuckles popular in landscaping.
Two of our worst invasive plants are introduced exotic honeysuckles, but this native species is not one of them. It is easy to grow but is not aggressive.
Ecosystem Connections
The deep, tubular flowers provide nectar to pollinators that are able to reach inside. Hummingbirds have long, pointy bills and extendable tongues for this purpose.
Birds and small mammals eat honeysuckle fruits in the fall.
Deer browse the leaves and stems.
