Fauna
Flower

Common Honeysuckle

Lonicera periclymenum

Also known as Woodbine, European Honeysuckle

Common honeysuckle clambers through deciduous woodlands and hedgerows, twisting clockwise around tree trunks and branches to reach sunny canopy edges. Clusters of tubular, cream-to-pinkish flowers release a rich, sweet scent in the dusk hours that attracts long-tongued hawk-moths from considerable distances. By late summer, fertilized blooms give way to clusters of glossy red berries that provide valuable autumn nourishment for thrushes and warblers.

Climbing VineAromaticWoodland Plant
Common Honeysuckle reference1 / 7
(c) Daniel Cahen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Daniel Cahen · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil nutrients
Predators
  • White-tailed Deer
  • Roe Deer
  • Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth Caterpillar
ThreatsHedgerow removal, woodland clearance, and habitat fragmentation
HabitatsDeciduous woodlands, hedgerows, scrub, and coastal cliffs
Life span20–50 years
Classification
  1. OrderDipsacales
  2. FamilyCaprifoliaceae
  3. GenusLonicera
  4. SpeciesLonicera periclymenum
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 saponins; wild berries have look-alikes, so never ingest based on app identification.
Why it is dangerous
Contains mildly toxic saponins in the berries and leaves that cause stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea if swallowed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognize by trumpet-shaped cream flowers turning yellow, followed by dense clusters of shiny translucent red berries.
What to do
Appreciate blooms and foliage visually, and keep children and domestic pets from consuming the berries.
Responsible observation
  • Scent Observation: Smell flowers at dusk when fragrant volatile oils peak to lure moths.
  • Wildlife Watching: Check dense tangles in spring for well-hidden songbird nests.
Related species
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