Lonicera involucrata
Twinberry
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Lonicera genus in the family Caprifoliaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Genus
- Lonicera
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 1.2 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 dried[8][14][15][3]. A pleasant taste[4]. Not tasty enough to be widely sought[10]. The only form we have tried has an incredibly bitter taste[K]. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter[9].
- Plant part
- Fruit
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.
Twinberry was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a range of complaints[12]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. The bark is disinfectant, galactogogue, ophthalmic and pectoral[12]. A decoction is used in the treatment of coughs and as an eyewash[12]. A decoction of the bark has been applied to a woman's breasts to encourage milk flow[12]. The bark has also been used as a dressing on burns[12]. The leaves are antipruritic and ophthalmic[12]. A poultice of the chewed leaves is applied to venereal sores, itchy skin and boils[11][12]. A decoction of the leaves is used as an eye wash[12]. The fruits are antidandruff, emetic, laxative and pectoral[11][12]. An infusion is used to treat chest and stomach complaints and to cleanse the body[12]. The mashed fruit has been rubbed into the scalp as a treatment for dandruff.
- Product or use
- Antidandruff
- Product or use
- Antipruritic
- Product or use
- Disinfectant
- Product or use
- Emetic
- Product or use
- Galactogogue
- Product or use
- Laxative
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Pectoral
- Product or use
- Poultice
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A purple dye is obtained from the fruit[17][12]. It is grey when tin is used as a mordant[5]. The berries are rubbed onto the scalp as a hair tonic. It is said to prevent greyness[17]. (don't mix the berries with tin though!![K])
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Hair care
Environment
- Range
- Western N. America - Alaska to Mexico.
- Habitat
- Calcareous woods, banks of streams and swamps[13] and in open coniferous forests[3], usually on limestone[7].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- 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[2] 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[16]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm with or without a heel, November in a cold frame. Good percentage[16]. Layering in autumn[9].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown and very tolerant plant, succeeding in any fertile soil, and preferring a good moist soil in a sunny position[1][9]. It produces less fruit when grown in the shade[9]. Plants have proved to be quite wind resistant when growing on an exposed site in Cornwall[K]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[7]. Closely allied to L. ledebourii[1]. There are some named forms, developed for the ornamental garden[6]. 'Humilis' is a smaller form and 'Serotina' is later flowering[6].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. 1968-00-00
Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7