#nativehoneysuckle — Public Fediverse posts

So, there is some of this on our land, unfortunately. I plan on cutting it back and pulling it up, but I also realize the local birds have gotten used to eating the berries (however, the berries aren't very nutritious). I'll look to try and replace the plants with #CanadaHoneysuckle, which is native, and not invasive -- and expanding our little food forest for the local wildlife.

#Maine #InvasivePlant Profile: #MorrowsHoneysuckle

By Sophia Cameron, Invasive Plant Management Intern and Jesse Wheeler, Vegetation Program Manager

"Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) is an invasive plant species managed at Acadia National Park. It is often grouped with other species of invasive honeysuckles (L. tatarica, L. x bella), often called #ExoticBushHoneysuckles since they are difficult to distinguish from one another. They are deciduous shrubs found throughout the park, characterized by oppositely branched stems, and opposite, simple leaves. They produce yellow, white, and sometimes pink flowers, as well as round, red, and orange berries.

"The berries can be used to distinguish these invasive honeysuckles from native honeysuckle species. For example, the flowers of the #NativeHoneysuckle, L. canadensis, are yellow or green, and always downturned. They grow in pairs, as do their red fruits. L. morrowii’s flowers are upturned and grow individually from one another. These shrubs can grow up to approximately ten feet tall, with many stems growing from a single stump. The bark is shaggy on older stems and the stem center (pith) is hollow.

Plant Origin

"#ShrubbyHoneysuckles are originally from Asia, specifically Japan. The first recorded collection and introduction into the U.S. occurred in 1852 by Dr. James Morrow, for which Morrow’s Honeysuckle is named. Honeysuckles were imported as decorative species used in gardens, for erosion prevention, and as windbreaks. These are also the reasons why they are so successful as an invasive species.

Why is it Invasive?

"They do well in almost every soil type, and can develop complex root systems fairly quickly, making them difficult to remove, or be damaged by storms. Their bright berries are also extremely attractive to native wildlife—particularly birds—although the fruit is not nutritionally valuable to them. Birds help spread the seeds over long distances.

"Honeysuckles have been shown to cause a loss in plant diversity, especially herbaceous species, low growing shrubs, and tree seedlings, primarily by blocking out sunlight. However, some studies have led researchers to believe that honeysuckle may release a toxin into the soil from their roots that would harm surrounding vegetation, preventing their growth."

Learn more [includes photos]:
https://www.nps.gov/articles/morrows-honeysuckle.htm

#SolarPunkSunday #InvasiveSpecies #InvasivePlants #NonNativePlants

So, there is some of this on our land, unfortunately. I plan on cutting it back and pulling it up, but I also realize the local birds have gotten used to eating the berries (however, the berries aren't very nutritious). I'll look to try and replace the plants with #CanadaHoneysuckle, which is native, and not invasive -- and expanding our little food forest for the local wildlife.

#Maine #InvasivePlant Profile: #MorrowsHoneysuckle

By Sophia Cameron, Invasive Plant Management Intern and Jesse Wheeler, Vegetation Program Manager

"Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) is an invasive plant species managed at Acadia National Park. It is often grouped with other species of invasive honeysuckles (L. tatarica, L. x bella), often called #ExoticBushHoneysuckles since they are difficult to distinguish from one another. They are deciduous shrubs found throughout the park, characterized by oppositely branched stems, and opposite, simple leaves. They produce yellow, white, and sometimes pink flowers, as well as round, red, and orange berries.

"The berries can be used to distinguish these invasive honeysuckles from native honeysuckle species. For example, the flowers of the #NativeHoneysuckle, L. canadensis, are yellow or green, and always downturned. They grow in pairs, as do their red fruits. L. morrowii’s flowers are upturned and grow individually from one another. These shrubs can grow up to approximately ten feet tall, with many stems growing from a single stump. The bark is shaggy on older stems and the stem center (pith) is hollow.

Plant Origin

"#ShrubbyHoneysuckles are originally from Asia, specifically Japan. The first recorded collection and introduction into the U.S. occurred in 1852 by Dr. James Morrow, for which Morrow’s Honeysuckle is named. Honeysuckles were imported as decorative species used in gardens, for erosion prevention, and as windbreaks. These are also the reasons why they are so successful as an invasive species.

Why is it Invasive?

"They do well in almost every soil type, and can develop complex root systems fairly quickly, making them difficult to remove, or be damaged by storms. Their bright berries are also extremely attractive to native wildlife—particularly birds—although the fruit is not nutritionally valuable to them. Birds help spread the seeds over long distances.

"Honeysuckles have been shown to cause a loss in plant diversity, especially herbaceous species, low growing shrubs, and tree seedlings, primarily by blocking out sunlight. However, some studies have led researchers to believe that honeysuckle may release a toxin into the soil from their roots that would harm surrounding vegetation, preventing their growth."

Learn more [includes photos]:
https://www.nps.gov/articles/morrows-honeysuckle.htm

#SolarPunkSunday #InvasiveSpecies #InvasivePlants #NonNativePlants