Japanese HoneysuckleJapanese Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Lonicera japonica (Thunb.) (Thunb.)

CaprifoliaceaeCaprifoliaceae

BiologyBiology• Native to Japan and AsiaNative to Japan and Asia

• Introduced to U.S. in 1906 for highway Introduced to U.S. in 1906 for highway use – stabilize banks, reduce erosionuse – stabilize banks, reduce erosion

• Wildlife managers also used as a winter Wildlife managers also used as a winter forage for deerforage for deer

• Adaptable to a wide range of habitats, Adaptable to a wide range of habitats, ranging from Florida to New Englandranging from Florida to New England

BackgroundBackgroundEconomic UsesEconomic Uses

• Wide spread use Wide spread use as an ornamentalas an ornamental

– fast growthfast growth

– fragrant flowersfragrant flowers

DistributionDistribution• Found throughout much of FloridaFound throughout much of Florida

• Commonly found along roadways and Commonly found along roadways and disturbed areas, forest edges, fencerowsdisturbed areas, forest edges, fencerows

• Also found in many state along the east Also found in many state along the east coast, from Florida to New England, less coast, from Florida to New England, less invasive in more northern climates invasive in more northern climates

Japanese Honeysuckle Distribution Japanese Honeysuckle Distribution in Floridain Florida

ImpactsImpacts• Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC)Category 1 invasive species (FLEPPC)

– Able to spread into undisturbed sitesAble to spread into undisturbed sites

• Readily establishes, outcompetes native Readily establishes, outcompetes native speciesspecies

• Covers small trees and shrubs, smothers Covers small trees and shrubs, smothers understory vegetationunderstory vegetation

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant• Evergreen, twining Evergreen, twining

vinevine• Can reach lengths Can reach lengths

of 80 to 120 feetof 80 to 120 feet• Produces runners Produces runners

from main stemsfrom main stems• Older stems Older stems

hollow, peeling hollow, peeling bark in long stripsbark in long strips

Leaves and StemsLeaves and Stems• Oppositely Oppositely

arrangedarranged

• Ovate-shapedOvate-shaped

–1.5 to 3 inches1.5 to 3 inches

• Stems are reddish Stems are reddish in colorin color

–Slightly Slightly pubescentpubescent

Flowers and FruitFlowers and Fruit• Flowering occurs from Flowering occurs from

April to JulyApril to July

• Borne in pairs, tubularBorne in pairs, tubular

• Fade - white to yellowFade - white to yellow

• Fruit are blackish, Fruit are blackish, contain 2-3 seedscontain 2-3 seeds

• Consumed and Consumed and dispersed by birdsdispersed by birds

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCultural

MechanicalMechanical

BiologicalBiological

ChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental

2.2. Remove existing plants, including Remove existing plants, including resprouts/runners and before seeds resprouts/runners and before seeds are producedare produced

3.3. Prevent seed spread and dispersalPrevent seed spread and dispersal

4.4. Rouge out vines in abandoned areasRouge out vines in abandoned areas

CulturalCultural1.1. Alternative landscape plants to replace Alternative landscape plants to replace

Japanese honeysuckleJapanese honeysuckle Native honeysuckle Native honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirensLonicera sempervirens

2.2. Programs to educate homeowners about Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with this plant the problems associated with this plant and proper identificationand proper identification

3.3. Maintain good ground cover and mixture Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce establishmentof plant species to reduce establishment

BiologicalBiological1.1. With the exception of wildlife foraging, With the exception of wildlife foraging,

there are no known biological control there are no known biological control agents available for Japanese agents available for Japanese honeysuckle management in Florida honeysuckle management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.or the southeastern U.S.

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull young seedlings, including Hand pull young seedlings, including

all roots, repeated pulling for resproutsall roots, repeated pulling for resprouts

2.2. Cut vines down at ground levelCut vines down at ground level

3.3. Mowing is effective on small vines and Mowing is effective on small vines and resprouts, but must be repeatedresprouts, but must be repeated

Chemical - FoliarChemical - Foliar1.1. Over-the-top applications for Over-the-top applications for

seedlings, resprouts and small vinesseedlings, resprouts and small vines

2.2. Thoroughly wet leaves with herbicideThoroughly wet leaves with herbicide Triclopyr – 2 to 5% solutionTriclopyr – 2 to 5% solution Glyphosate – 2 to 4% solutionGlyphosate – 2 to 4% solution Use surfactant at 0.25% Use surfactant at 0.25%

3.3. Best results applied late fallBest results applied late fall

Chemical - BasalChemical - Basal1.1. Individual vines, near desirable speciesIndividual vines, near desirable species

2.2. Use 25% triclopyr solution with basal Use 25% triclopyr solution with basal oiloil

3.3. Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on tree trunktree trunk

4.4. Wet thoroughly for good control, spray Wet thoroughly for good control, spray until run-off is noticeable at ground lineuntil run-off is noticeable at ground line

Chemical – Cut StumpChemical – Cut Stump

1.1. Individual vines, near desirable speciesIndividual vines, near desirable species

2.2. Cut trunks/stems horizonally at or near Cut trunks/stems horizonally at or near ground levelground level

3.3. Apply 25% solution of glyphosate or Apply 25% solution of glyphosate or triclopyrtriclopyr

4.4. Cover the outer 20% of the stumpCover the outer 20% of the stump

5.5. Marker (blue) dye is helpful Marker (blue) dye is helpful

Useful LinksUseful Links• Floridata Homepage:

http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm

• University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html

Useful LinksUseful Links• Nuzzo, V. 1997. Element Stewardship

Abstracts for Lonicera japonica Japanese Honeysuckle. The Nature Conservancy: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/

• Williams, C.E. Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunberg). Department of Biology, Clarion University. Virginia’s Department of Conservation and Recreation http://www.dcr.state.va.us/index.htm

Useful LinksUseful Links• The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien

Plant Working Group. Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/index.htm

• Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems: http://www.hear.org/pier/threats.htm

• Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States: http://www.invasive.org

Literature CitedLiterature CitedLangeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 ppFlorida, Gainesville. 165 pp