- Honeysuckle
Taxobox
name = Honeysuckle
image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Lonicera ciliosa "
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Dipsacales
familia =Caprifoliaceae
genus = "Lonicera"
genus_authority = L.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text - Selected SpeciesHoneysuckles ("Lonicera"; syn. "Caprifolium"
Mill. ) are archingshrub s or twiningvine s in the familyCaprifoliaceae , native to theNorthern Hemisphere . There are about 180 species of honeysuckle. Widely known species include "Lonicera periclymenum " (European Honeysuckle or Woodbine), "Lonicera japonica " (Japanese Honeysuckle, White Honeysuckle, or Chinese Honeysuckle) and "Lonicera sempervirens " (Coral Honeysuckle, Trumpet Honeysuckle, or Woodbine Honeysuckle).Hummingbirds are attracted to these plants.The leaves are opposite, simple oval, 1–10 cm long; most are
deciduous but some areevergreen . Many of the species have sweetly-scented, bell-shapedflower s that produce a sweet, ediblenectar . Breaking of the Honeysuckle's stem will release this powerful sweet odor. Thefruit is a red, blue or blackberry containing several seeds; in most species the berries are mildlypoison ous, but a few (notably "Lonicera caerulea ") have edible berries. The plant is eaten by thelarva e of someLepidoptera species - seelist of Lepidoptera that feed on honeysuckles .Cultivation and uses
Wood cuttings from the species "Lonicera tartarica", native to
Eurasia , are sold ascat toys. The wood containsnepetalactone , which is the active ingredient found incatnip . Many breeds of cats react to the scent of the wood and will paw, lick or rub against it.Honeysuckles grow best in partial sun to partial shade.
"
Lonicera japonica " and "Lonicera maackii " (Amur Honeysuckle or Bush Honeysuckle) are considered invasive weeds in theUnited States and inNew 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 ofglyphosate , or thorough grubbing if high labor and soil destruction are not of concern.Honeysuckle is also edible; removing the blossom, one may suck at the sweet nectar in the center.
Cordage made from honeysuckle was used in the construction of
Seahenge .Honeysuckle flowers can be used to flavor wine, syrup, sorbet, and other sweet dishes.
Another name for honeysuckle is woodbine; and eglantine is used in Milton's "
L'Allegro ".elected species
Honeysuckle in popular culture
*In the book "
The Sound and the Fury " byWilliam Faulkner , the smell of honeysuckle is mentioned often to imply sexual activity on the part of the character Caddy.
*Honeysuckle is mentioned inJoe Bonamassa 's song "Mountain Time" [ [http://www.jbonamassa.com :: Joe Bonamassa:: ] ] .
*Honeysuckle Vines are mentioned inJimmy Buffett 's song "Tin Cup Chalice."
*Honeysuckle is mentioned inSammy Kershaw 's song "Don't Go Near The Water."
*Honeysuckle is mentioned as Mrs Dietrich's (Barbara Stanwyck's) perfume in "Double Indemnity ."
*The British actressHoneysuckle Weeks was named after the honeysuckle flowers, which were in bloom at the time of her birth.
*In the video game series ".hack//G.U. ",Haseo receives a weapon called the Lit Honeysuckle.
*In Japan, a honeysuckle represents "devoted affection," commonly referring to young fated lovers.
* [http://www.lamaisondelola.com La Maison de Lola] has a character named Ms Honeysuckle
*In the 2005 Disney film,Sky High , honeysuckle is shown as a decoration in the character Layla's locker.
*InAugust Strindberg 's play,Miss Julie , the valet Jean mentions to the eponymous heroine that honeysuckles grew over the Turkish Pavilion which he saw in her fathers garden when he was a boy.
*Honeysuckle Rose is a 1935 solo pianojazz tune byFats Waller and a 1980Willie Nelson film.
* The heavy metal band Lamb of God mentions honeysuckle in their song "In Defense of our Good Name"
* Honeysuckle is mentioned in Robert Frost's poem "To Earthward," as well as the O.A.R. song "Earthward" which quotes the poem.References
External links
* [http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Lonicera&SPECIES_XREF=&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK=species Flora Europaea: "Lonicera"]
* [http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=3&start_taxon_id=118877 Flora of China: "Lonicera" species list]
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