Scientific Name
Lonicera japonica
Common Name
Japanese honeysuckle

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Plant Description
Evergreen, trailing or climbing vine; leaves simple, opposite, smooth margined or lobed in juvenile growth; flowers tubular, irregular shaped, 5-parted, white to pink or yellow, fragrant; fruit a glossy black berry.
Origin
Asia.
Distribution
Throughout.
Where Found
Weedy in disturbed areas, naturalized in forests and natural areas; landscape cultivated as a woody, ornamental vine.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Berries.
Symptoms
Vomiting, diarrhea, pupil dilation, cold sweat, rapid heartbeat, respiratory failure, convulsions, and coma.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Nectar can be sucked from flowers without harm.
Toxic Principle
Vine with saponic and cyanogenic glycosides; fruits with carotenoids.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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