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Lonicera caprifolium - L.

Common Name Italian Honeysuckle, Italian woodbine
Family Caprifoliaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Hedges, scrub and woods[100].
Range Europe - Austria and Czechoslovakia to Romania and Turkey. Introduced in Britain.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Lonicera caprifolium Italian Honeysuckle, Italian woodbine


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:152_Lonicera_caprifolium_L.jpg
Lonicera caprifolium Italian Honeysuckle, Italian woodbine
http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruger:Sten

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Lonicera caprifolium is a deciduous Climber growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Tea

The fruit is eaten in small quantities[177]. It is probably cooked first[K]. An infusion of the heavily perfumed flowers is used as a tea substitute[7].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic  Bach  Cathartic  Diuretic  Emetic  Emollient  Expectorant  Laxative  
Pectoral  Skin  Vulnerary

The fruit is emetic and cathartic[4]. The pressed juice makes a mild purgative[7, 61]. The leaves and flowers are antispasmodic, emollient and expectorant[7]. They are used as a cutaneous and mucous tonic and as a vulnerary[4]. Recent research has shown that the plant has an outstanding curative action in cases of colitis[7]. The seed is diuretic[4]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Dwelling upon thoughts of the past', 'Nostalgia' and 'Homesickness'[209].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential

An essential oil has been extracted from the flowers and used to make a very sweet perfume, but yields are extremely low[7].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a good moist soil with its roots in the shade and its top growing into the light[200]. Succeeds even in quite deep shade[219]. Tolerates both acid and alkaline soils, only showing distress on very alkaline soils[202]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[202]. Plants are moderately fast-growing[202]. They climb by twining around other plants[182]. The flowers are very fragrant, especially of a night time in order to attract pollinating moths, and are produced in abundance[202, 219, 245], but plants only produce fruit after a hot summer[202]. Plants are prone to attacks by mildew and blackfly[202].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification[113] and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with or without a heel, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm with or without a heel, November in a cold frame. Good percentage[78]. Layering in autumn[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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Readers comment

   Mon Oct 6 2008

i think this is a beautiful website

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