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Lonicera involucrata
Lonicera involucrata (Richardson) Banks ex Spreng.
Twinberry Honeysuckle, Black Twinberry Honeysuckle, Black Twinberry, Bearberry Honeysuckle, Four-line Honeysuckle
Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: LOIN5
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
A formal-looking, shiny-green shrub, four-line honeysuckle or black twinberry usually grows from 3-10 ft. in height. Its deciduous leaves are opposite and oval. The tubular flowers occur in axillary pairs and fade from yellowish-orange to reddish-purple. They are followed by black berries, each subtended by four reddish bracts.
The berries are edible but not particularly tasty. Some birds and bears are known to eat the fruit, but these plants are not common enough to be important to wildlife. Twinberry is widespread, however, and the yellow flowers and paired fruits often attract attention. Several other honeysuckles, both shrubs and woody vines, occur in the West. The common garden honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is a close relative native to eastern Asia that sometimes escapes into the wild.
The genus, Lonicera, is named for Adam Lonicer (1528 - 1586), a German botanist noted for his 1557 revised version of Eucharius Rösslin’s herbal. He became professor of Mathematics in 1553 and Doctor of Medicine in 1554, becoming the town physician in Frankfurt-am-Main. His true interest though was herbs and the study of botany.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Black, Purple
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Yellow , PurpleBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Yellow, sometimes red or purple tinged.
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MI , MT , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WI , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Mts. of c. & n. CA to AK, e. to NM & MT, s. to northwestern Mexico down to Durango; less commonly to Upper MI & Que.
Native Habitat: Moist or wet, open woods from 6000-10,000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Wet, brackish water margins.
Conditions Comments: Black twinberry tolerates air pollution.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Attracts hummingbirds and other wildlife.Warning: Berries may be mildly poisonous if eaten. Sensitivity to a toxin varies with a person’s age, weight, physical condition, and individual susceptibility. Children are most vulnerable because of their curiosity and small size. Toxicity can vary in a plant according to season, the plant’s different parts, and its stage of growth; and plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Larval Host: Gillette's Checkerspot (Euphydryas gillettii)
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Bumble BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Species of Lonicera come easily from cuttings: hardwood cuttings outdoors or young, summer shoots over bottom heat. Seeds germinate well if treated.Seed Treatment: Stratification is necessary.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FAC | FACU | FACU | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Lonicera involucrata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lonicera involucrata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lonicera involucrata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-17Research By: TWC Staff