Lonicera sempervirens

This woody climbing vine thrives in the woodlands, thickets, open woods, and fence rows of the North Carolina Piedmont and coastal plain, and throughout the Southeast. Pollination occurs when hummingbirds, attracted by the red color, visit the long tubular flowers produced in the spring and early summer. Juice of the plant is purported to be beneficial for bee stings.

This well-behaved American native is related to, but should not be confused with, the yellow flowered Japanese Honeysuckle which has so aggressively naturalized in our southern woods.

Cool links:

Coral honeysuckle : Lonicera sempervirens - Very nice closeup photo.

Plant of the Week: Coral Honeysuckle - good photo and information on the origin of the honeysuckle genus name from killerplants.com.

Coral honeysuckle (PDF) - fact sheet from the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. Includes planting and care tips.

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photos: Paris Trail