American Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis)

American Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis)

Not all honeysuckle plants are invasive. American fly honeysuckle is native to Wisconsin. It is a flowering, deciduous shrub that typically reaches a height of 24 to 72 inches. Its light yellow, tubular flowers bloom in late spring, appearing in pairs and measuring about ½ to ¾ inch long. The leaves are simple, light green, and range from 1½ to 3½ inches in length, growing in opposite pairs along the branches. The shrub’s stems are loosely branched, with light brown to brownish-gray bark, while its twigs can vary from green to purplish. This honeysuckle thrives in moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate rocky or gravelly conditions. It is fundamentally a cool forest shrub. It is commonly found in shady woodlands, stream banks, forest edges, and rich understory areas. 

Sources:

USDA PLANTS Database — Lonicera canadensis species profile

Minnesota Wildflowers — Lonicera canadensis (American Fly Honeysuckle)

Illinois Wildflowers — American Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis)

Flora of North America — Lonicera canadensis botanical description

Michigan Flora / University of Michigan — Lonicera canadensis account

NatureServe Explorer — Lonicera canadensis conservation status and distribution

UW–Madison Division of Extension — Native woodland shrubs of Wisconsin

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