Lonicera hispidula

(Redirected from California honeysuckle)

The perennial vine Lonicera hispidula is a species of honeysuckle known as pink honeysuckle[2] and, less often, California honeysuckle.[3] It is a low-elevation woodlands shrub or vine found on the West Coast of North America.[4]

Lonicera hispidula
Lonicera hispidula in Anacortes, Washington
Scientific classification Edit this 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

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Like other honeysuckles, Lonicera hispidula has pairs of leaves that grow opposite each other on the stem, with the uppermost pair fused at the bases to surround the stem. At the end of the stem grow pink blossoms.[4] It is a perennial shrub or vine.[5] According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower database, "Berries may be mildly poisonous if eaten. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size."[5]

Ecology

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Lonicera hispidula grows in riparian and woodland areas.[4] The flowers attract hummingbirds, while other birds eat the fruits.[6]

Human uses

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The stems are hollow and sturdy and were used by the Pomo people as smoking pipes.[7] It is cultivated by specialty native plant plant nurseries as an ornamental plant for drought-tolerant wildlife gardens and natural landscaping in California.[8]

Taxonomy

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Currently no subspecies are recognized. Previously recognized subspecies include Lonicera hispidula var. californica (Torr. & A. Gray) Rehder, Lonicera hispidula var. hispidula, and Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans A. Gray.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Lonicera hispidula". Calflora. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Lonicera hispidula (California Honeysuckle)". Native Here Nursery. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Bell, Charles D.; Dempster, Lauramay T. "Lonicera hispidula". Jepson eFlora. Jepson Herbarium. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - The University of Texas at Austin". www.wildflower.org. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  6. ^ "search". Global Biotic Interactions (GloBI). Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Caprifoliaceae Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans (Benth.) Gray". Native American Ethnobotany Database. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  8. ^ Wilson, Bert. "Lonicera hispidula, California Honeysuckle". Las Pilitas Nursery. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
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