Family: Caprifoliaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 174 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Lonicera
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to C. Siberia and NE. Türkiye
Description
European fly honeysuckle, scientifically known as Lonicera xylosteum, is a versatile species belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family. Renowned for its hardiness and adaptability, this deciduous shrub thrives across a broad geographical expanse, from Europe to Central Siberia and extending to northeastern Türkiye. Originating from its authoritative naming in 1753, this plant has been appreciated for its resilience and modest requirements.
Characterized by its dense, bushy growth, European fly honeysuckle typically reaches a height of 1 to 2 meters. Its twigs are covered in fine, downy hairs that give it a distinctive appearance. The leaves, arranged in opposing pairs, are oval to oblong and present a soft, velvety texture. They measure between 3 to 8 centimeters long, adding lush greenery to gardens and natural woodlands.
During late spring to early summer, Lonicera xylosteum produces small, tubular flowers. These delicate blossoms bear a creamy-white to yellowish hue and often appear in pairs, exuding a subtle fragrance that becomes particularly attractive to various pollinators, including bees and butterflies. This flowering phase is followed by the production of small, bright red berries that ripen in the summer, adding a vibrant splash of color to the plant.
European fly honeysuckle is not only noted for its ornamental value but also for its ecological advantages. The berries, though mildly toxic to humans, provide a valuable food source for birds and small mammals, thus promoting local biodiversity. The shrub’s dense foliage offers excellent cover and nesting sites, benefitting wildlife habitats.
Tolerant of a range of soil types and environmental conditions, including semi-shade and full sun, this plant is particularly suited to temperate climates. It can adapt to various terrains, from forest edges to scrublands, making it a useful choice for naturalistic plantings and restoration projects.
Given its widespread natural distribution and robust characteristics, European fly honeysuckle remains a favored choice among horticulturists and ecological planners. Whether employed in managed landscapes or left to flourish in the wild, Lonicera xylosteum continues to exemplify the resilience and beauty of the Caprifoliaceae family.
Common Names
Dan: dunet gedeblad
Eng: dwarf honeysuckle, european fly honeysuckle, fly honeysuckle, european fly-honeysuckle
Deu: rote heckenkirsche
Nor: beenved, brakel, haardved
Fra: camérisier, camérisier à balais, clématite des haies, chèvrefeuille à balais, chèvrefeuille des haies
Nno: leddved
Nob: leddved
Fin: lehtokuusama
Swe: lehtokuusama, skogstry, bentry, try
Nld: rode kamperfoelie
Sme: čalbmemuorra
Cym: clyr-felog, clyr-wyddfid, clyr-wynwydd, gwyddfid syth
En: European fly honeysuckle, Fly honeysuckle, Dwarf honeysuckle, European fly-honeysuckle, Honeysuckle
Hy: Ցախակեռաս սովորական
Az: Adi doqquzdon
Ba: Айыу баланы
Be: Бружмель звычайны
Bg: Мъхнат нокът
Ca: Xuclamel xilosti, Xuclamel santjoaner, Xuclamel xilostí
Zh: 硬骨忍冬
Cs: Zimolez obecný, Zimolez pýřitý
Da: Dunet Gedeblad
Nl: Rode kamperfoelie
Et: Harilik kuslapuu
Fi: Lehtokuusama
Fr: Camérisier à balais, Clématite des haies, Camérisier, Chèvrefeuille à balais, Chèvrefeuille des haies, Camérisier des haies, Chèvrefeuille à fleurs blanc-jaunâtre, Sorian
De: Rote Heckenkirsche, Beinholz, Gemeine Heckenkirsche
Hu: Ükörkelonc
It: Caprifoglio (Madreselva) peloso, Ciliegia d. volpe, Pomola del diavolo, Sanguini, Caprifoglio peloso, Madreselva pelosa
Lt: Paprastasis sausmedis
Se: Čalbmemuorra
No: Leddved, Beenved, Brakel, Haardved
Nb: Leddved
Nn: Leddved
Pl: Wiciokrzew pospolity
Ru: Жимолость настоящая
Sk: Zemolez obyčajný
Es: Cerecillo, Sangüeña, Cerecillo de Europa, Sanguena
Sv: Skogstry, Lehtokuusama, Bentry, Try
Cy: Gwyddfid syth, Clyr-Felog, Clyr-Wyddfid, Clyr-Wynwydd
Synonyms
- Lonicera dumetorum (Pers.)
- Chamaecerasus xylosteum ((L.) Medik.)
- Lonicera ochroleuca (St.-Lag.)
- Xylosteon dumetorum (Moench)
- Caprifolium xylosteum ((L.) Gaertn.)
- Lonicera xylosteum f. elliptica (Beck)
- Caprifolium segreziense (Kuntze)
- Chamaecerasus dumetorum (Delarbre)
- Lonicera xylosteum var. mollis (Regel)
- Lonicera xylosteum var. glabrescens (Zabel)
- Lonicera xylosteum f. glabrescens (Zabel)
- Lonicera xylosteum f. mollis ((Regel) Rehder)
- Lonicera xylosteum f. subcordata (Zabel)
- Lonicera segreziensis (Lavallée ex Zabel)
- Lonicera xylosteum var. xanthocarpa (DC.)
- Xylosteon vulgare (Röhl.)
- Lonicera xylosteum var. crococarpa (Murr)
- Lonicera xylosteum var. lutea (Veill.)
- Lonicera xylosteum f. lutea ((Veill.) Rehder)
- Caprifolium dumetorum (Lam.)
- Lonicera alpigena f. leiophylla ((A.Kern.) Zabel)
- Lonicera rubra (Gilib.)
- Lonicera leiophylla (A.Kern.)
- Euchylia villosa (Dulac)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Altay (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Italy (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- District of Columbia (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- New Brunswick (introduced)
- New Hampshire (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Oregon (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Québec (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Virginia (introduced)
- Washington (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Sep 1, 2019 by Varrey Daniel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 9, 2021 by Jean-Marie Frenoux (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 3, 2020 by Julien C (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 28, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2018 by Rolland Paillat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2017 by Florence Pradier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 3, 2020 by Julien C (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 25, 2020 by H B (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by Cindy Amégah (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2021 by Marleen (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 28, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2021 by T.O.Bias (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2021 by Bryce Avot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2022 by Paweł W (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 28, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 23, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 9, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Paul FABRE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 1, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 27, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 16, 2020 by nimye (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Aug 10, 2022 by jonas jaggi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 13, 2020 by Charles (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 7, 2022 by Yves SPM (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2021 by Bryce Avot (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5334259)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:149194-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lonicera xylosteum L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Shrub
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 6
Atmospheric humidity: 5
Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’]
Soil nutriments: 5