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Lonicera involucrata - (Richardson.)Spreng.

Common Name Twinberry, Twinberry honeysuckle
Family Caprifoliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Calcareous woods, banks of streams and swamps[43] and in open coniferous forests[155], usually on limestone[184].
Range Western N. America - Alaska to Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Lonicera involucrata Twinberry, Twinberry honeysuckle


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund
Lonicera involucrata Twinberry, Twinberry honeysuckle
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Annelis

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Lonicera involucrata is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Xylosteum involucratum.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or dried[2, 46, 65, 155]. A pleasant taste[161]. Not tasty enough to be widely sought[212]. The only form we have tried has an incredibly bitter taste[K]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidandruff  Antipruritic  Disinfectant  Emetic  Galactogogue  Laxative  Ophthalmic  Pectoral  
Poultice

Twinberry was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a range of complaints[257]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. The bark is disinfectant, galactogogue, ophthalmic and pectoral[257]. A decoction is used in the treatment of coughs and as an eyewash[257]. A decoction of the bark has been applied to a woman's breasts to encourage milk flow[257]. The bark has also been used as a dressing on burns[257]. The leaves are antipruritic and ophthalmic[257]. A poultice of the chewed leaves is applied to venereal sores, itchy skin and boils[218, 257]. A decoction of the leaves is used as an eye wash[257]. The fruits are antidandruff, emetic, laxative and pectoral[218, 257]. An infusion is used to treat chest and stomach complaints and to cleanse the body[257]. The mashed fruit has been rubbed into the scalp as a treatment for dandruff.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Disinfectant  Dye  Hair

A purple dye is obtained from the fruit[99, 257]. It is grey when tin is used as a mordant[168]. The berries are rubbed onto the scalp as a hair tonic. It is said to prevent greyness[99]. (don't mix the berries with tin though!![K])

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown and very tolerant plant, succeeding in any fertile soil, and preferring a good moist soil in a sunny position[11, 200]. It produces less fruit when grown in the shade[200]. Plants have proved to be quite wind resistant when growing on an exposed site in Cornwall[K]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[184]. Closely allied to L. ledebourii[11]. There are some named forms, developed for the ornamental garden[182]. 'Humilis' is a smaller form and 'Serotina' is later flowering[182].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification[113] and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with or without a heel, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm with or without a heel, November in a cold frame. Good percentage[78]. Layering in autumn[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Diervilla loniceraBush Honeysuckle, Northern bush honeysuckleShrub1.0 3-8 MLMHSNM022
Lonicera affinis Climber7.0 5-9  LMHSNM11 
Lonicera angustifoliaNarrow-leafed honeysuckleShrub2.7 4-8 MLMHNM402
Lonicera caeruleaSweetberry honeysuckle, Bluefly honeysuckle, Haskap berryShrub2.0 3-9 FLMHNM400
Lonicera canadensisFly Honeysuckle, American fly honeysuckleShrub1.5 3-7  LMHNM11 
Lonicera caprifoliumItalian Honeysuckle, Italian woodbineClimber6.0 4-8 MLMHFSNM122
Lonicera chrysanthaHoneysuckleShrub4.0 3-7  LMHNM10 
Lonicera ciliosaOrange HoneysuckleClimber10.0 4-8 MLMHSNM222
Lonicera gracilipes Shrub1.8 5-9  LMHNM11 
Lonicera gracilipes glabra Shrub1.8 5-9  LMHNM11 
Lonicera henryi Climber6.0 4-8  LMHSNM113
Lonicera japonicaJapanese HoneysuckleClimber5.0 4-10 FLMHSNDM233
Lonicera morrowiiMorrow's honeysuckleShrub2.0 3-7  LMHNM110
Lonicera nitidaBoxleaf HoneysuckleShrub3.0 6-9 FLMHFSNM003
Lonicera periclymenumHoneysuckle, European honeysuckleClimber4.5 4-8 MLMHFSNM123
Lonicera pileataPrivet honeysuckleShrub0.2 4-8  LMHFSNDM003
Lonicera quinquelocularis Shrub5.0 4-8  LMHNDM002
Lonicera sempervirensTrumpet Honeysuckle, Coral HoneysuckleShrub5.0 4-9 FLMHNDM01 
Lonicera utahensisUtah HoneysuckleShrub1.5 4-8  LMHNM11 
Lonicera venulosa Shrub1.5 5-9  LMHNM20 
Lonicera villosaMountain fly honeysuckle, Fuller's honeysuckleShrub1.5 3-9 SLMHNM300
Lonicera villosa solonis Shrub0.8 -  LMHNM30 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Richardson.)Spreng.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Sep 28 2014 12:00AM

This plant is a common native here, in Western Alberta, Canada, where temperatures can reach at least -40C (-45C record). Plants grown from open woods/woodland edge, to quite deep shade in moist, mesic or rather dry sites. Doubtless berry production is better in better sites, but full sun is certainly not necessary. Berries (like almost all berries here) are eaten by birds the moment they are ripe...

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Subject : Lonicera involucrata  
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