Illinois Exotic Species:

Amur honeysuckle Lonicera maackii

Amur honeysuckle is a shrub that has been widely planted as food and habitat for wildlife. A native of Korea, China and Japan, it is known for its oppositely-arranged, simple leaves and numerous white, trumpet-shaped flowers, which develop in May. The berries, which ripen in the summer, are eaten and dispersed by birds. This plant's leaves develop before native plants start to grow each year. It also holds it leaves long after native trees and shrubs have lost theirs. This plant is very invasive in woodlands, and may dominate the shrub layer of forests to the exclusion of native shrubs. The tremendous amounts of shade produced prevent the growth of native wildflowers, shrubs and trees. Amur honeysuckle is now very abundant throughout the woodlands of Illinois.

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