Lonicera sempervirens

Lonicera sempervirens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Dipsacales
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Lonicera
Species: L. sempervirens
Binomial name
Lonicera sempervirens
L.

Lonicera sempervirens[lower-alpha 1] (also coral honeysuckle, trumpet honeysuckle, or scarlet honeysuckle) is a species of honeysuckle native to the eastern United States.[2] It is grown as a plant for wildlife, as it is used by ruby-throated hummingbirds in their natural range.[3] It is also grown as an ornamental for its attractive flowers, especially as a native alternative to the invasive Japanese honeysuckle.[4][5] Several cultivars have been selected for variation in flower color, including 'Magnifica' (flowers red outside, yellow inside), 'Sulphurea' (yellow flowers), and 'Superba' (bright scarlet flowers).[6]

The plant is evergreen in zone 8 and warmer and deciduous in colder climates. It is a twining vine growing to 20 ft or more through shrubs and young trees. The leaves are produced in opposite pairs, oval, up to 5 cm long and 4 cm broad; the leaves immediately below the flowers are perfoliate, joined at the base in a complete ring round the shoot. The flowers are produced in clusters of several groups of three together, tubular, 5 cm long, with five small lobes opening at the tip to expose the stamens and stigma; they are bright red to pinkish-red, and pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds and insects.[7][3]

Notes

  1. ↑ The Latin botanical name sempervirens means evergreen.[1]

References

  1. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  2. ↑ USDA Plants Profile: Lonicera sempervirens
  3. 1 2 Operation Rubythroat "Top Ten" Native Hummingbird Plants: Lonicera sempervirens
  4. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  5. ↑ "RHS Plant Selector - Lonicera sempervirens". Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  6. ↑ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
  7. ↑ Missouriplants: Lonicera sempervirens
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