Orange Honeysuckle
Common Names: Orange Honeysuckle, Western Trumpet Honeysuckle.
Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle family).
Scientific Name: Lonicera ciliosa (the hairy edges of the leaves are responsible for the name ciliosa = lots of cilia).
General Info: A perennial climbing vine, deciduous, with hollow stems, sometimes reaching 6 meters high.
Native/ Non-native: Native.
Distribution of species: Pacific Northwest: British Columbia to California, and Montana.
Habitat: Locally common but scattered at low to mid elevation, dry to moderately moist forests and thickets.
Light: Open shade to partial sun.
Leaves: Opposite with the end-pair on each twig joined to form a disk (see flower photo at right); hairy edges. Oval leaves, hairy edged, 4-10 cm long (1 1/2 to 4 in).
Flowers: Orange-red, narrowly trumpet-shaped, 5 lobed corollas in clusters of 8-12 flowers at branch tips above disk-leaf.
Fruits: Red to orange berries - may be poisonous. Photo below: disk-leaf with fruits forming.
Landscape uses: Makes an attractive addition to the home garden. Easily propagated from cuttings.
Wildlife: a source of abundant nectar for butterflies. Long tubular flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. The opening of the blossom is too small for bumblebees to squeeze in; however, marks have been seen along the side of the flower tubes where bees have poked holes in order to reach the nectar!
Uses: The woody vines were used by native peoples for weaving, binding, lashing, and even for suspension bridges!
Notes: PHOTO STORY (See Right Sidebar)
Resources: Plants of Southern Interior British Colombia and the Inland Northwest (Parish, Coupe, Lloyd), 1996
Additional Information Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonicera_ciliosa
Photo by Marilyn George
PHOTO STORY
A Dramatic Battle Between a Vineand aTree, starring:
"Western Trumpet Honeysuckle"
vs.
"Grand Fir"
The Winner is Announced! Will it be the VINE or theTREE?
Click Here to find out!
At the Top of this Young Tree:
Vines Searching for Support
Photo by Wendy Aeschliman