Black Twinberry

Scientific name

Lonicera involucrata

Description

Twinberry is a deciduous shrub species that typically grows between 2 and 4 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common name Inkberry Honeysuckle or Bearberry Honeysuckle. The leaves are oppositely arranged, bright green colored, elliptic shaped, have pointed tips, and have hairy undersides. The flowers are yellow colored, tubular shaped, appear in pairs, have showy bright purplish red bracts, and bloom between June and July. These flowers turn into pairs of juicy black berries, which may be mildly toxic if consumed raw. The food and habitat provided by this shrub are beneficial to many wildlife species, including birds and mammals. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, such as bees and butterflies. The roots are good for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. This is a valuable species for re-vegetating riparian areas.

Planting conditions

Twinberry grows best in normal to moist conditions with partial sun exposure. It prefers well-drained, organically rich loam or sand but can tolerate a variety of soil types. It is very tolerant to shade. It is also tolerant of urban pollution, steep slopes, and periodically flooded areas. This shrub can be naturally found in shaded forests, on moist slopes, around marshes and swamps, and along stream or lake shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 3m
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Partial sun
  • Shade
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Humus
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 2a
  • 2b
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 2-4 m
• Spread:
  • 2 m