Orange Honeysuckle

Lonicera ciliosa

Basic Information

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Genus: lonicera

Plant ID (slug): lonicera-ciliosa

Numeric ID: 23104

USDA Hardiness: 4-8

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Lonicera ciliosa is an evergreen Climber growing to 10 m (32ft 10in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in August. 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Western N. America - British Columbia to N. Carolina.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Nectar Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[105, 177, 212]. Not tasty enough to be widely sought[212]. The fruit is about 5mm in diameter[200]. Children enjoy sucking the nectar from the base of the flowers[256, 257].

Medicinal Uses

Contraceptive Epilepsy Miscellany Poultice TB Women's complaints The leaves are contraceptive and tonic[257]. An infusion has been used as a contraceptive and also as a treatment for problems in the womb[257]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of colds and tuberculosis[257]. A poultice of the chewed leaves has been applied to bruises[257]. An infusion of the woody part of the plant has been drunk in small amounts, or used as a bath, in the treatment of epilepsy[257].