Botany Blog Plants of the Northeastern U.S.

June 3, 2014

Swamp Fly Honeysuckle

Filed under: North American Native Plants — admin @ 20:59

Swamp fly honeysuckle (Lonicera oblongifolia) is blooming now in Central New York. This is a native species typically found in peatlands such as fens or conifer swamps. It can be distinguished from other honeysuckles by the following combination of traits: 1) style hirsute; 2) upper 4 petals fused; 3) peduncles over 5 mm; 4) leaves obtuse; 5) ovary glabrous; 6) pith of branchlets solid and white.

Lonicera_oblongifolia1

Lonicera oblongifolia flowers

Lonicera_oblongifolia2

Recognition of habitat, entire leaf margin, and the downy pubescence on the undersides of leaves can help when searching for this plant. The leaves are typically more symmetrical than those of Lonicera canadensis.

Lonicera_oblongifolia5

 Upper surface of leaves

Lonicera_oblongifolia4

Lower surface of leaves

Lonicera_oblongifolia6

Fruits ripen in July and can range from orange to red or red-purple

Powered by WordPress