Morrow's Honeysuckle | Nebraska Invasive Species Council

Credit: Stacey Leicht, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

General Information

Species Name: Lonicera morrowii

Also Known As: Asian fly honeysuckle, bush honeysuckle, Morrow's bush honeysuckle

Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckles)

Growth Form: Shrub

Life Span: Perennial

Flowering Date: Mid to late spring

Origin: Eastern Asia

Noxious: No

Why Is It Invasive?

Morrow's honeysuckle forms dense monocultures, restricting sunlight and space for native species. It releases chemicals into the soil that restrict the growth of native plants. Morrow's honeysuckle reduces biodiversity, restricting plant and tree sapling growth in areas it has invaded including woodlands, fields, and disturbed sites.

What Does It Look Like?

General Characteristics

Deciduous shrub that can grow up to 8 feet tall.

Leaves

Leaves are oppositely arranged and oval to oblong with short, pointed tips. Leaves are gray-green in color and have small hairs on the underside.

Bark

Bark is grayish brown and appears somewhat scaly.

Flower

White or cream colored and yellow with age. Flowers are fragrant, tubular, and grow in pairs. Sepals are fuzzy.

Fruit

Red berries that grow in pairs and contain many seeds.

Photos

Shrub with green leaves and clusters of small, bright red berries.

Credit: Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

Green leaves and small buds on thin branches, outdoors in bright sunlight.

Credit: Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

Dense green Morrow's honeysuckle shrub with small white flowers scattered throughout in a natural forest setting.

Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

White honeysuckle flowers with green leaves in a lush outdoor setting.

Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

White flower with five narrow petals and yellow stamens, on a gray background.

Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Red berries clustered on green leaves in natural foliage.

Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Grayish-brown stump of Morrow's honeysuckle surrounded by dry leaves.

Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Dense green Morrow's honeysuckle shrub with leafy foliage in a forested area.

Credit: Richard Gardner, Bugwood.org

Where Does It Grow?

Morrow's honeysuckle invades woodlands, roadsides, fields, and disturbed areas. It can grow in full sun or shade and moist or dry soils. It is widespread throughout the Eastern and Midwest United States.

How Does It Spread?

Morrow's honeysuckle was initially introduced in the 1800s as an ornamental plant and for erosion control. It spreads primarily through seeds, which can be distributed great lengths by birds who eat the fruit of Morrow's honeysuckle.