Fauna
Plant

American Fly-honeysuckle

Lonicera canadensis

Also known as Canadian Fly-honeysuckle, Fly-honeysuckle

American fly-honeysuckle is an early-leafing deciduous understory shrub that illuminates northern hardwood forests with delicate, paired yellowish-white blossoms dangling in early spring. Its bright red, paired berries ripen by midsummer, providing a valuable food source for nesting songbirds before many other woodland fruits mature. Unlike aggressive invasive bush honeysuckles, its twigs possess solid white pith and an open, airy growth form that integrates peacefully into mature woodland communities.

WoodlandDeciduousNative Shrub
American Fly-honeysuckle reference1 / 7
(c) Superior National Forest, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Eastern Cottontail
  • Moose
ThreatsDisplacement by invasive exotic bush honeysuckles, habitat fragmentation, and heavy deer browse
HabitatsMesic deciduous and mixed northern forests, rocky slopes, and ravine margins
Life span15–30 years
Classification
  1. OrderDipsacales
  2. FamilyCaprifoliaceae
  3. GenusLonicera
  4. SpeciesLonicera canadensis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Berries contain mildly toxic compounds and have look-alikes; never eat wild berries based on app identification alone.
Why it is dangerous
Berries contain saponins and other mildly toxic glycosides that cause vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea if swallowed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for glossy red, paired berries joined at the base and dangling below soft, opposite leaves.
What to do
Observe freely along forest trails, but keep pets and young children from chewing the fruit or twigs.
Responsible observation
  • Spring Identification: Look for paired, pendulous yellowish-white flowers emerging alongside young leaves in early May.
  • Native Checking: Slice a fallen twig to confirm the pith is solid white, distinguishing it from hollow-stemmed invasive honeysuckles.
  • Bird Watching: Scan the lower canopy in June and July to spot woodland frugivores feeding on the paired red berries.
Related species
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