INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES FACT SHEET Asian Bush Honeysuckle Lonicera maackii, L. tatarica, L. morrowii, L. X bella Amur, Tartarian, Morrow’s, Belle’s honeysuckle Description: Problem: Origin: These upright shrubs with Asian bush honeysuckles The Asian bush arching branches are 6- grow so densely they honeysuckles originate 15 feet tall. Each of these shade out everything in Eurasia (Japan, China, species has opposite on the forest floor, often Korea, Manchuria, Turkey leaves with paired berries leaving nothing but bare and southern Russia). and hollow branchlets. soil. This means a great They were introduced as They stand out in the reduction in the food ornamentals, for wildlife Very High understory of forests as and cover available for cover and for soil erosion the first shrubs to leaf birds and other animals. control. However, their out in the spring and the Serious infestations can aggressive domination last to lose their leaves inhibit tree regeneration, of native communities in the fall. The paired, essentially stopping make them a bad choice Medium tubular flowers are white forest succession. Higher for these purposes. on Amur and Morrow rates of nest predation See back for alternative Low honeysuckle, pink on have been found in Amur species. Tartarian honeysuckle, honeysuckle than in and vary from white to native shrubs due to nests deep rose on Belle’s being more exposed to honeysuckle. The red predators. Some bush High to orange berries are honeysuckle species also dispersed by birds. release chemicals into Commonly sold cultivars the soil to inhibit other include Arnold’s Red, plant growth, effectively Zabelli and Rem Red. poisoning the soil. Picture By: J. H. Miller @ Pictures By (From Top to Bottom): www.invasive.org. J. M. Randall, T. Ransburg and Indy Parks. Distribution: IPSAWG Ranking: These invasive bush Invasive Plants honeysuckles generally HIGH HIGH HIGH are a Threat to: range from the central Great Plains to southern • Forests and New England and south Ecological Potential for Difficulty of wetlands to Tennessee and North Impact Expansion Control Carolina. In Indiana they • Native plants are particularly invasive IPSAWG Recommendation: in central and northern •Do not buy, sell or plant Asian bush honeysuckle in parts of the state, but are • Perennial gardens Indiana starting to move into the •Help by eradicating Asian bush honeysuckle on your southern portion. Asian • property. Wildlife bush honeysuckles are relatively shade-intolerant • Lakes and rivers and most often occur in This ranking illustrates the results of an assessment conducted forest edge, abandoned by the Invasive Plant Species Assessment Working Group (IPSAWG), which is made up of many organizations and agencies • Human Health fields, roadsides and concerned about invasive plant species. IPSAWG’s goal is to assess open wetlands. However, which plant species may threaten natural areas in Indiana and • Farmland they will move into develop recommendations to reduce their use in the state. forest understories and For more information about IPSAWG and the assessment tool used Date Updated: 10/06 dominate wherever there to rank invasive species, visit their website: has been disturbance. www.invasivespecies.IN.gov ALTERNATIVES Control Methods: to Asian bush Mechanical and chemical Asian bush honeysuckles honeysuckles are honeysuckles: methods are the primary can also be controlled by probably best managed means of control of Asian application of a systemic by cutting the stems bush honeysuckles. No herbicide, like glyphosate to ground level and biological control agents (e.g. Roundup), at a 1% painting or spraying the are currently available solution, sprayed onto stumps with a 20-30% for these plants. Hand the foliage or applied by solution of glyphosate or removal of seedlings or sponge. This should be 8% solution of triclopyr small plants may be useful done in fall when native (e.g. Ortho Brush B-Gon Dogwoods for light infestations, but species are dormant and concentrate). Always read (Cornus sericea, care should be taken not bush honeysuckle is still and follow pesticide label C. amomum, and to disturb the soil any more green. Well-established directions. C. racemosa) than necessary. stands of Asian bush Dark green dense thicket of Asian Chokeberry bush honeysuckle under the forest (Aronia melanocarpa) canopy. (Picture By: Indy Parks) Eight Easy Ways to Combat Invasive Plants You can help stop the spread of invasive plants by following these 8 easy guidelines: 1. Ask for only non- for invasive species, and and natural areas to invasive species when you remove invasives before assist ongoing efforts Winterberry acquire plants. Request that they become a problem. If to diminish the threat of (Ilex verticillata) nurseries and garden plants can’t be removed, invasive plants. centers sell only non- at least prevent them from 7. Help educate your invasive plants. going to seed. community through 2. Seek information on 4. Clean your boots before personal contacts and in invasive plants. Sources and after visiting a natural such settings as garden include botanical gardens, area to prevent the spread clubs and civic groups. horticulturists, of invasive plant seeds. 8. Support public conservationists, and 5. Don’t release aquarium policies and programs to government agencies. plants into the wild. control invasive plants. Northern arrowwood 3. Scout your property 6. Volunteer at local parks (Viburnum dentatum) For More Information: Pictures By (Top to Bottom): D. E. On this assessment and IPSAWG: Herman, U Conn, Indy Parks and D. E. Herman. IPSAWG www.invasivespecies.IN.gov On identification and control techniques: Other Alternatives: The Nature Conservancy’s Wildland Weeds Blackhaw www.tncweeds.ucdavis.edu (Viburnum prunifolium) On native plant alternatives and sources: Serviceberry Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (Amelanchier arborea) www.inpaws.org This grant project made possible with United States Forest Service funds administered by the IDNR, Division of Forestry..