Pheasant-berry (Leycesteria formosa, W.Roxburgh, Fl. Ind. 2: 182 (1824))

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Author: Wall.

Bibliography: W.Roxburgh, Fl. Ind. 2: 182 (1824)

Year: 1824

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Leycesteria

Vegetable: False

Observations: NE. Pakistan to SC. China and Myanmar

Description

Pheasant-berry, known scientifically as Leycesteria formosa, is a captivating plant native to the diverse regions stretching from northeastern Pakistan to south-central China and Myanmar. This intriguing plant, which garnered attention in botanical circles as early as 1824 through the works documented in W. Roxburgh’s “Flora Indica,” was classified by the renowned botanist Nathaniel Wallich.

Belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family, the Pheasant-berry is lauded for its aesthetic appeal and the versatility it brings to gardens and natural landscapes. One of the plant’s standout features is its pendulous racemes laden with tubular, white to purple-red flowers, which give way to distinctive, dark purple berries. These berries are not only a striking visual element but also attract a variety of wildlife, especially pheasants, which partially explains the plant’s common name.

The foliage of Leycesteria formosa is another highlight, offering lush, green leaves that provide a dense cover and contribute to the plant’s ornamental value. Typically, the plant thrives in well-drained soils and can often be found flourishing in the understory of forests, along stream banks, and in shrub lands within its native range. It is well-suited to temperate climates and can endure a degree of neglect, making it a favorable choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance yet impactful greenery.

In traditional and contemporary horticulture, the Pheasant-berry is appreciated not only for its beauty but also for its resilience and ease of propagation. Whether used in hedges, as a standalone specimen, or for the creation of wildlife-friendly gardens, Leycesteria formosa invariably adds a touch of nature’s elegance and vitality.

Common Names

Eng: himalaya-honeysuckle, himalayan honeysuckle, pheasant-berry
Fra: arbre à faison
Swe: axtry
Deu: schöne leycesterie
Nld: fazantenbes
Cym: bachgen llwm
En: Pheasant-berry, Himalaya-honeysuckle, Himalayan honeysuckle
Ar: لايسترية شكيلة
Bg: Хималайски орлови нокти
Zh: 鬼吹箫
Cs: Leycesterie krásná
Nl: Fazantenbes
Fi: Tähkäkuusama
Fr: Arbre à faison, Arbre à faisans, Leycesteria
De: Schöne Leycesterie, Leycesterie
It: Leycesteria
Pl: Lejcesteria piękna
Sr: Лејцестерија
Sv: Axtry
Zh-tw: 鬼吹簘
Cy: Bachgen llwm

Synonyms

• Leycesteria formosa var. glandulosissima (Airy Shaw)
• Leycesteria formosa var. brachysepala (Airy Shaw)
• Leycesteria formosa var. stenosepala (Rehder)
• Leycesteria sinensis (Hemsl.)
• Leycesteria limprichtii (H.J.P.Winkl.)
• Leycesteria formosa var. liogyne (Hand.-Mazz.)

Distribution

• Assam (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Azores (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Pam Corker (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2019 by Nigel Nigel Voaden (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2020 by Bakker Sander (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Martin Rijpstra (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2021 by 22Ben 22Ben (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 28, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2017 by Tercie Kadan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 2022 by Béatrice (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2021 by Jeanine Vialatte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2019 by Marcus Cabot (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 12, 2019 by Gaylord Leroux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2019 by Annie Werion (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2021 by 22Ben 22Ben (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2019 by Simon Gelcich (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2022 by charlotte bootsveld (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 8, 2019 by Pierre Sosson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Marcel Duchamp (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2021 by 22Ben 22Ben (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Tobias Wenzel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 20, 2022 by Maya Scally (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2019 by Roy Nicholson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2019 by cedric cavalieri (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 10, 2020 by Mike Dorling (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2018 by Gautier ROY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2022 by Geuko (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by Adam Van Straten (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (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/2888579)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:148526-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Leycesteria formosa Wall.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Shrub

Growth