Honeysuckle & Allies

Withe-rod Trumpet Honeysuckle Amur Honeysuckle Southern Arrowwood

What are they?

A rather variable group of woody shrubs and climbers, many of which have very showy flowers and/or berries, making them popular as garden plants. At one time, these species were all included in the Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae), but more recently, Sambucus and Viburnum species have been moved to the Moschatel family (Adoxaceae).

Where are they found?

Native species are mostly shrubs and creepers of open woodland and field edges. Introduced species may be found anywhere, but especially close to habitation.

Identification

Climbing honeysuckles can be told at any time of year from Clematis species by the method of climbing; honeysuckles have stems that wind around other objects for support. Clematis species climb by having tendril-like leaf petioles. Most species are relatively easy to identify with a combination of flower and leaf details. Shrubby members of the family can mostly be told simply by their leaves, but details of flower and berry help in season and should also be checked if present.

American Elder Sambucus canadensis

(Black Elderberry) A fairly common shrub of open, moist woodland, field margins, shrubby edges and waste areas. Flowers June to July.


Habit	Flowers	Flower close-up	Fruit


Leaf	Leaf	Winter buds

Guelder-rose Viburnum opulus

(Cranberrybush) Though native to North America, this species is not native to southern New Jersey and any odd plants found will be either planted or self-seeded from garden plants nearby. Both North American and European plants are in cultivation and either could occur in the area. Flowers late May to early July.


Flowers	Leaf	Berries	Winter buds

Maple-leaved Arrowwood Viburnum acerifolium

A rare, low shrub which may occur in a range of woodland types. Flowers May to June. Although a woody shrub, this species is often no more than two to three feet high and thus can be easily overlooked. When not in flower, it can also be mistaken for a maple, but the long, arrowwood-type buds should serve to identify it.


Habit	Flowers	Leaf	Leaf

Bark

Southern Arrowwood Viburnum dentatum

A common shrub of open, moist woodland and shrubby edges of swamps. Flowers May to July. An unassuming bush which acquires a certain majesty when covered in heads of white flowers or dense bunches of blue-black fruits, much favored by migrant birds.


Flower & leaves	Leaf	Leaf petioles with stellate hairs	Berries


Winter buds	Winter buds

Smooth Arrowwood Viburnum recognitum

A shrub of open, moist woodland and shrubby edges of swamps. Flowers May to July. Less common than Southern Arrowwood and differing from it in its completely smooth stems and leaf undersides.


Leaves	Leaf	Leaf petioles hairless	Winter bud

Possumhaw Viburnum nudum

(Southern Wild-raisin) Not uncommon in boggy and wet woodland. Flowers June to July. Often found as a low, straggly set of stems, no more than five feet high, but occasionally taller. Leaves glossy and bright green, like garden laurel leaves.


Habit	Flowers	Leaf	Leaf underside with rusty fluff


Berries	Winter buds

Withe-rod Viburnum cassinoides

(Northern Wild-raisin) Uncommon in boggy and wet woodland in the north of the county. Flowers June to July. Leaves rather like those of the chokeberries, but they are arranged in opposite pairs and the buds are very different.


Habit	Flowers	Leaves	Winter buds

Blackhaw Viburnum prunifolium

A widespread species in North Jersey but seemingly rare in Cape May County and records may simply refer to planted specimens or garden escapes. Flowers May. The glossy, bright green leaves bear a striking resemblance to those of pear trees or some cherries, but note that the leaves of Blackhaw are opposite not alternate on the stem.


Habit	Flowers	Young leaves	Mature leaves


Fruit	Winter leaf buds	Winter flower bud

Coralberry Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

Native in shady, rocky ground in northern New Jersey but probably only a garden escape in Cape May County. Known from Belleplain State Forest, where it grows with other typical garden species. Flowers July to September. Flowers very small, carried in tight clusters hidden beneath the leaves.


Flowers	Leaves	Leaf underside hairy	Hairy stems


Young berries	Ripe berries	Winter buds

Trumpet Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens

(Coral Honeysuckle) An infrequent climbing plant, found in open woods and woodland edge. Flowers May to July. Commonly grown as a garden plant and some plants around Cape May County may have originated as garden throw-outs or escapes, especially in the south of the area. The brilliant red flowers are unmistakable.


Habit	Flowers	Lower leaves	Upper leaves


Winter buds	Twining stems

Japanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica

An all-too common alien invasive climber from Asia. Found abundantly in all kinds of woody and scrubby habitats, waste places and spreading from overgrown gardens. Flowers May to July, sometimes later. A serious problem in parts of Cape May County, though the flowers are popular with hummingbirds. More or less evergreen, but leaves will drop in prolonged cold spells. Younger stems are hairy for the first winter but later become hairless.


Flower	Leaves	Leaves on vigorous shoots	Berries

Winter buds

Morrow's Honeysuckle Lonicera morrowii

Introduced from Eastern Asia. Spreading rapidly in North America and currently known in Cape May County from several locations in the Seaville area. Flowers May to June.


Flowers	Flowers	Leafy shoot	Leaf


Leaf underside	Berries	Winter buds

Showy Fly Honeysuckle Lonicera x bella

A hybrid of garden origin, being a cross between Lonicera morrowii and Lonicera tatarica. Flowers April or early May. Intermediate between the two parent species in both flower and leaf.


Habit	Flowers	Berries	Winter buds

Amur Honeysuckle Lonicera maackii

There are no published records for this species in the southern half of New Jersey but it is doubtless spreading rapidly as an invasive alien shrub from eastern Asia. In 2010, it was found at several locations in the north of Cape May County, from Goshen to Dennisville. Flowers May to June. The white flowers turn yellowish as they fade and are followed by red berries.


Habit	Flower & leaves	Flower close-up	Leaf


Leaf underside	Berries	Berries close-up	Winter buds

Fragrant Honeysuckle Lonicera fragrantissima

Introduced from eastern Asia. A not uncommon garden shrub which may occasionally be found in the wild, perhaps from berries spread by birds. Flowers January to March, or earlier in mild winters. Creamy, heavily fragrant flowers appear for several weeks on the leafless branches in winter. Currently known from waste ground in Cape May Court House.


Flowers	Leaves	Winter buds

Hybrid Abelia Abelia x grandiflora

(Glossy Abelia) Introduced from eastern Asia. A fairly common garden shrub which may occasionally be found in the wild, perhaps from berries spread by birds. Flowers July to September.


Habit	Flowers	Typical leaves in opposite pairs	Leaves on strong shoots in threes


Winter bud	Bark

Feverwort Triosteum perfoliatum

(Perfoliate or Scarlet-fruited Horse-gentian) An uncommon plant of open, deciduous woodland and shady field edges. Flowers late May to June. An odd, herbaceous member of the honeysuckle family which may perhaps be mistaken for a member of the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). The paired leaves join together to cup around the stem and the flowers appear in clusters in these leaf cups.


Habit	Flower	Leaves	Berries

Cape May Plants An Identification Guide