Lonicera sempervirens (Cultivated)

Lonicera sempervirens L., Sp. Pl. 1: 173 173 1753. (Syn: Lonicera sempervirens var. sempervirens ; Periclymenum sempervirens (L.) Mill.; Phenianthus semperivens (L.) Raf. ex B.D. Jacks.);

Lonicera sempervirens^[a] (also coral honeysuckle or trumpet honeysuckle) is a species of honeysuckle native to the eastern United States.^[2] It is grown as an plant for wildlife, as it is used by ruby-throated hummingbirds in their natural range.^[3] It is also grown as an ornamental for its attractive flowers, especially as a native alternative to the invasive Japanese honeysuckle.^[4]^[5] Several cultivars have been selected for variation in flower color, including ‘Magnifica’ (flowers red outside, yellow inside), ‘Sulphurea’ (yellow flowers), and ‘Superba’ (bright scarlet flowers).^[6] The plant is evergreen in zone 8 and warmer and deciduous in colder climates. It is a twining vine growing to 20 ft or more through shrubs and young trees. The leaves are produced in opposite pairs, oval, up to 5 cm long and 4 cm broad; the leaves immediately below the flowers are perfoliate, joined at the base in a complete ring round the shoot. The flowers are produced in clusters of several groups of three together, tubular, 5 cm long, with five small lobes opening at the tip to expose the stamens and stigma; they are bright red to pinkish-red, and pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds and insects.^[7]^[3]
(from Wikipedia on 25.2.16)

A scandent or evergreen climbing shrub. Stem semi woody. Young branchlets purplish grey. Leaves opposite, obovate to elliptic, or lanceolate, 5-7 x 3-5 cm across, shining, leathery, margin entire, apex acuminate, petiole 0.3-0.6 cm long, the uppermost pair of leaves are distinct, bases are fused together and slender stem passes in-between these two fused leaves, margin entire, apex is obtuse to truncate, to become perfoliate-connate, this condition is also seen when stem terminates a inflorescence anywhere between the base and shoot of the climber. Flowers axillary usually in whorled 3 pairs, peduncle 3-5 mm long, actinomorphic, Calyx glabrous, Corolla scarlet red in colour, Corolla tube 4-5 x 0.3 cm, glabrous, Stamens 5, slightly exserted, anthers bilobed, style glabrous, slightly exserted than the stamens and corolla tube. Fruits scarlet red about 0.4-0.7 cm in diameter, ellipsoid.

Flowering/Fruiting: June-October.

Cultivated in gardens.

Global Distribution: Asia: China; Europe; North America: Canada, Mexico, United States of America.

Local Distribution: Uttarakhand.

Attributions- Ganeshaiah, K. N., UAS, Bangalore, India. & Kailash, B. R., UAS & ATREE, Bangalore, India. from India Biodiversity Portal)