Practical
Plants

Lonicera ciliosa

Orange Honeysuckle

an evergreen member of the Lonicera genus in the family Caprifoliaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
evergreen
Growth rate
moderate
Height
10 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][4][7]. Not tasty enough to be widely sought[7]. The fruit is about 5mm in diameter[6]. Children enjoy sucking the nectar from the base of the flowers[8][9].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Nectar

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are contraceptive and tonic[9]. An infusion has been used as a contraceptive and also as a treatment for problems in the womb[9]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of colds and tuberculosis[9]. A poultice of the chewed leaves has been applied to bruises[9]. An infusion of the woody part of the plant has been drunk in small amounts, or used as a bath, in the treatment of epilepsy[9].

Product or use
Contraceptive
Product or use
Miscellany
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
TB
Product or use
Women's complaints

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An infusion of the stems is used as a hair shampoo and tonic to make it grow[12][9]. A fibre obtained from the stem is used in making mats, bags, blankets etc[12]. The stems were used as building materials by the native North American Indians. They were used with willow withes to reinforce suspension bridges across canyons and rivers. They were also twisted with coyote willow to lash together the framing poles of underground pit houses and to make a pliable ladder[9].

Product or use
Fibre
Product or use
Hair care

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
Western N. America - British Columbia to N. Carolina.
Habitat
Woods and thickets from sea level to moderate elevations[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification[3] and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with or without a heel, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[11]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm with or without a heel, November in a cold frame. Good percentage[11]. Layering in autumn[6].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a good loamy soil and cool moist conditions at the roots[2][6]. Succeeds in partial shade[6]. Subject to attacks by aphis, especially in hot dry spells[2]. Climbs by twining around other plants[5].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩1↩2

  8. Turner. N. J. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples UBC Press. Vancouver. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7748-0533-1

    ↩

  9. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  10. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩

  11. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  12. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

    ↩1↩2

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