Japanese Honeysuckle
Place of Origin: East Asia
Place of Harm: entire South, E Midwest, Northeast, Hawaii, Australia, South/central America
First Introduced: 1806, Long Island (other sources say 1906)
Harms: Native trees/shrubs, and other aggressive vines
Other Names: Hall’s Prolific
Japanese Honeysuckle is a type of evergreen woody vine or shrub that was first introduced as an ornamental, erosion control plant, and wildlife cover/forage, though not until the 1900’s did it start to spread rapidly. One of the most used ornamentals, it grows up to 80 ft long. Spreading by seeds (animals), fragments, or runners, it can survive all sorts of light, nutrient, and water levels, but not cold winters, deep shade, or long periods of drought. It is found on the edges of woods, streams, and roads, but also lives in backyards or gardens. It will readily invade mature tree ecosystems and succeed. The problem with Japanese honeysuckle is that it grows quickly and takes over plant communities. It will swarm up trees (usually maple, oak, poplar, etc.) up to 40 ft tall and out-competes other invasive vines with its evergreen qualities; it leafs in before and out after other plants. Shrubs and young trees are killed (girdled) when vines twist around the stems. Covering plants can also block sunlight. It is nearly impossible to control once it covers large areas. It also damages the ecosystem by out-competing natives for light, belowground resources, and by changing forest structure. Control methods for Japanese honeysuckle include cutting or burning to root level and repeating until nutrient reserves depleted. This is practical only for small areas, and disposal is needed. Aggressive tilling is effective but may stir the seed bank. Burning only works on seedlings. It can also be controlled through glyphosate; cutting the honeysuckle to the ground and applying to stem ends is effective, though not as much as pairing triclopyr/2,4-D with glyphosate to be applied foliarly right after the first frost (late autumn). Japanese honeysuckle is also eaten by goats deer (however, with minimal root damage). The paired flowers start out white and then turn yellow. Flower production occurs from late April to July or October. They are not self-fertile and must be pollinated by insects. The fruits are then produced from September through November. Each contains 2-3 seeds, which can be eaten birds and pooped, or spread by human activity. Japanese honeysuckle can develop a large seedbank. New plants can also grow from fragments or vegetative growth (both above and underground). The seeds grow quickly into tree-climbing, woody hairy vines up to 80 ft long. Honeysuckles are enjoyed by children because of the sweet drop of nectar inside the flower. A habitat and food source for many birds and deer, they rid of other unwanted like poison ivy, and are a traditional Chinese medicine for fever. They also have strong, sweet smelling flowers.
Place of Origin: East Asia
Place of Harm: entire South, E Midwest, Northeast, Hawaii, Australia, South/central America
First Introduced: 1806, Long Island (other sources say 1906)
Harms: Native trees/shrubs, and other aggressive vines
Other Names: Hall’s Prolific
Japanese Honeysuckle is a type of evergreen woody vine or shrub that was first introduced as an ornamental, erosion control plant, and wildlife cover/forage, though not until the 1900’s did it start to spread rapidly. One of the most used ornamentals, it grows up to 80 ft long. Spreading by seeds (animals), fragments, or runners, it can survive all sorts of light, nutrient, and water levels, but not cold winters, deep shade, or long periods of drought. It is found on the edges of woods, streams, and roads, but also lives in backyards or gardens. It will readily invade mature tree ecosystems and succeed. The problem with Japanese honeysuckle is that it grows quickly and takes over plant communities. It will swarm up trees (usually maple, oak, poplar, etc.) up to 40 ft tall and out-competes other invasive vines with its evergreen qualities; it leafs in before and out after other plants. Shrubs and young trees are killed (girdled) when vines twist around the stems. Covering plants can also block sunlight. It is nearly impossible to control once it covers large areas. It also damages the ecosystem by out-competing natives for light, belowground resources, and by changing forest structure. Control methods for Japanese honeysuckle include cutting or burning to root level and repeating until nutrient reserves depleted. This is practical only for small areas, and disposal is needed. Aggressive tilling is effective but may stir the seed bank. Burning only works on seedlings. It can also be controlled through glyphosate; cutting the honeysuckle to the ground and applying to stem ends is effective, though not as much as pairing triclopyr/2,4-D with glyphosate to be applied foliarly right after the first frost (late autumn). Japanese honeysuckle is also eaten by goats deer (however, with minimal root damage). The paired flowers start out white and then turn yellow. Flower production occurs from late April to July or October. They are not self-fertile and must be pollinated by insects. The fruits are then produced from September through November. Each contains 2-3 seeds, which can be eaten birds and pooped, or spread by human activity. Japanese honeysuckle can develop a large seedbank. New plants can also grow from fragments or vegetative growth (both above and underground). The seeds grow quickly into tree-climbing, woody hairy vines up to 80 ft long. Honeysuckles are enjoyed by children because of the sweet drop of nectar inside the flower. A habitat and food source for many birds and deer, they rid of other unwanted like poison ivy, and are a traditional Chinese medicine for fever. They also have strong, sweet smelling flowers.
Essential Question
"Could a genetically engineered invasive species potentially be used in warfare?"