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Bush honeysuckle
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Cluster of pale yellow Southern bush honeysuckle flowers (Diervilla sessilifolia) surrounded by broad green leaves.
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Cluster of pale yellow Southern bush honeysuckle flowers (Diervilla sessilifolia) surrounded by broad green leaves.
Bush honeysuckle The flowers and leaves of a bush honeysuckle (Diervilla species).

Bush honeysuckle

plant
Also known as: Diervilla
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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Last updated
•History

Bush honeysuckle, (genus Diervilla), genus of three species of low shrubs belonging to the honeysuckle family, native to eastern North America. Bush honeysuckles are frequently confused with members of the true honeysuckle genus (Lonicera), especially the related Tatarian honeysuckle (L. tatarica) and other cultivated species, which are invasive species in many parts of the United States. Diervilla species are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds and are commonly used in native landscaping.

Taxonomy

Physical description

Bush honeysuckles are deciduous perennials and have oval leaves and clusters of tubular flowers at the branch tips. They spread by rhizomes (underground stems) and form patches in rocky dry areas. Flowering occurs in early summer. The yellow or reddish yellow blooms are followed by slender beaked fruits.

Species

The northern bush honeysuckle (D. lonicera) and the mountain bush honeysuckle (D. rivularis) are similar except for the smaller size and more-pointed leaves of D. lonicera. The southern bush honeysuckle (D. sessilifolia) has stalkless leaves and angled branches.

Venus's-flytrap. Venus's-flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) one of the best known of the meat-eating plants. Carnivorous plant, Venus flytrap, Venus fly trap
Britannica Quiz
Plants: From Cute to Carnivorous
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.