Japanese HoneysuckleJapanese HoneysuckleLoniceraLonicera japonica japonica ((ThunbThunb.) .)

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 use –– stabilize banks, reduce erosionstabilize 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 Commonly found along roadways and 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, Evergreen,

twining vinetwining vine•• 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•• OvateOvate--shapedshaped

––1.5 to 3 inches1.5 to 3 inches•• Stems are Stems are

reddish in colorreddish in 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 Fade -- white to yellowwhite to yellow•• Fruit are blackish, Fruit are blackish,

contain 2contain 2--3 seeds3 seeds•• Consumed and Consumed and

dispersed by birdsdispersed by birds

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCulturalMechanicalMechanicalBiologicalBiologicalChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental2.2. Remove existing plants, including Remove existing plants, including

resproutsresprouts/runners and before seeds /runners and before seeds are producedare produced

3.3. Prevent seed spread and dispersalPrevent seed spread and dispersal4.4. 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 honeysuckleNative honeysuckle Native honeysuckle LoniceraLonicera sempervirenssempervirens

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 all roots, repeated pulling for resproutsresprouts2.2. Cut vines down at ground levelCut vines down at ground level3.3. Mowing is effective on small vines and Mowing is effective on small vines and

resproutsresprouts, but must be repeated, but must be repeated

Chemical Chemical -- FoliarFoliar1.1. OverOver--thethe--top applications for top applications for

seedlings, seedlings, resproutsresprouts and small vinesand small vines2.2. Thoroughly wet leaves with herbicideThoroughly wet leaves with herbicide

Triclopyr Triclopyr –– 2 to 5% solution2 to 5% solutionGlyphosate Glyphosate –– 2 to 4% solution2 to 4% solutionUse surfactant at 0.25% Use surfactant at 0.25%

3.3. Best results applied late fallBest results applied late fall

Chemical Chemical -- BasalBasal1.1. Individual vines, near desirable speciesIndividual vines, near desirable species2.2. Use 25% triclopyr solution with basal Use 25% triclopyr solution with basal

oiloil3.3. Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on Apply 12 to 15 inches above ground on

tree trunktree trunk4.4. Wet thoroughly for good control, spray Wet thoroughly for good control, spray

until rununtil run--off is noticeable at ground lineoff is noticeable at ground line

Chemical Chemical –– Cut StumpCut Stump1.1. Individual vines, near desirable speciesIndividual vines, near desirable species2.2. Cut trunks/stems Cut trunks/stems horizonallyhorizonally at or near at or near

ground levelground level3.3. Apply 25% solution of glyphosate or Apply 25% solution of glyphosate or

triclopyrtriclopyr4.4. Cover the outer 20% of the stumpCover the outer 20% of the stump5.5. 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 Non1998. 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