Honeysuckle

'') Most species of Lonicera are hardy twining climbers, with a minority of shrubby habit. ==Cultivation==

Honeysuckles are valued as garden plants, for their ability to cover unsightly walls and outbuildings, their profuse tubular flowers in early summer, and the intense fragrance of many varieties. The hardy climbing types need their roots in shade, and their flowering tops in sunlight or very light shade. Varieties need to be chosen with care, as they can become substantial. Cultivars of the dense, small-leaved L. nitida are used as low, narrow hedges. The following hybrids have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: • L. 'Mandarin' • L. × tellmanniana Other cultivars are dealt with under their species names. The honeysuckle species L. japonica is grown as a commercial crop for traditional Chinese medicine use. Honeysuckle is also used to scent Chinese teas in a process similar to Jasmine tea. This was popularized in the Qing dynasty. ==Phytochemicals==

Component analyses of berries from 27 different cultivars and 3 genotypes of edible honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica) showed the presence of iridoids, anthocyanins, flavonols, flavanonols, flavones, flavan-3-ols, and phenolic acids. While sugars determine the level of sweetness in the berries, organic acids and polyphenols are responsible for the sour taste and tartness. ==Interaction with other species==

Many insects in the order Lepidoptera visit honeysuckles as a food source. An example of this is the moth Deilephila elpenor. This nocturnal species of moth is especially attracted to honeysuckles, and they visit the flowers at night to feed on their nectar. ==Species==

158 species are accepted. Honeysuckle-1.jpg|Lonicera japonica Lonicera ciliosa 13310.JPG|L. ciliosa Lonicera japonica, Fruit.JPG|L. japonica fruit Lonicera hispidula 3080.JPG|L. hispidula Lonicera sempervirens 5.JPG|L. sempervirens Rusokuusama Lonicera tatarica.jpg|L. tatarica Honeysuckle .jpg|L.caprifolium, Chèvrefeuille Bloemknoppen van een Kamperfoelie (Lonicera) 26-07-2020 (d.j.b.) 01.jpg|flower buds. ==References==