Scientific name Lonicera sempervirens Rank Species | Genus Lonicera Higher classification Honeysuckle | |
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Similar Honeysuckle, Caprifoliaceae, Bignonia capreolata, Lonicera periclymenum, Lonicera japonica | ||
Plant portrait coral honeysuckle lonicera sempervirens
Lonicera sempervirens (also coral honeysuckle, trumpet honeysuckle, or scarlet honeysuckle) is a species of honeysuckle native to the eastern United States. It is grown as a plant for wildlife, as it is used by ruby-throated hummingbirds in their natural range. It is also grown as an ornamental for its attractive flowers, especially as a native alternative to the invasive Japanese honeysuckle. Several cultivars have been selected for variation in flower color, including 'Magnifica' (flowers red outside, yellow inside), 'Sulphurea' (yellow flowers), and 'Superba' (bright scarlet flowers).
Contents
The plant is evergreen in zone 8 and warmer and deciduous in colder climates. It is a twining vine growing to 20 ft or more through shrubs and young trees. The leaves are produced in opposite pairs, oval, up to 5 cm long and 4 cm broad; the leaves immediately below the flowers are perfoliate, joined at the base in a complete ring round the shoot. The flowers are produced in clusters of several groups of three together, tubular, 5 cm long, with five small lobes opening at the tip to expose the stamens and stigma; they are bright red to pinkish-red, and pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds and insects.
Lonicera sempervirens
