Lonicera xylosteum - fly honeysuckle

Fly honeysuckle is native to Finland, one of the typical plants of fertile shady groves. A rather straggly shrub, it produces yellowish-white, small, scented flowers early in spring as the leaves break bud. After flowering, the attractive bright red berries develop in joined pairs, looking rather like red currants, but they are poisonous.

Fly honeysuckle is hardy as far north as the Arctic Circle. Though it will grow in drier, poorer soils and even in full sun, it is at its best in shady moist spots. Linné described in his Species Plantarum the 2m stems and curving branches of hard tough wood. This wood was once used in making various small household articles and even tools.

 

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Lehtipuut ja -pensaat
Lonicera xylosteum © Susanna