Lonicera etrusca Honeysuckle
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Genus
Lonicera
Species
etrusca
Lonicera etrusca is a species of honeysuckle known by the common name Etruscan
honeysuckle. It is native to Europe and it is known elsewhere, including the Pacific
Northwest of North America, as an introduced species where it has escaped cultivation.
It is kept in gardens as an ornamental plant. This is a deciduous perennial climber
which can reach lengths of 6 meters. It is lined with oval leaves several centimeters
long and bears dense spikes of flowers with pairs of fused leaves at the bases. Each
flower has an elongated tubular corolla up to 5 centimeters long divided partway into
two lips. The flower is light yellow to pale reddish-pink. The stamens and style
protrude from the flower's mouth. The fruit is a bright red rounded berry. Notable
cultivars include 'Donald Waterer' and 'Superba', which has gained the Royal
Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.