Maack's honeysuckle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Maack's honeysuckle
• Amur honeysuckle
• bush honeysuckle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Xylosteon maackii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Dipsacales and family Caprifoliaceae, it is classified under the genus Lonicera. Specifically, Lonicera maackii represents a distinct species within this taxonomic hierarchy.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the Eurasian continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found inhabiting the landscapes of both Germany and Poland. Its range extends further south into Southeastern Europe, specifically within Bulgaria. Finally, the distribution reaches the extreme edges of the Russian Far East in the Khabarovsk region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lonicera maackii is defined by its ability to thrive in diverse and transitional environments, frequently establishing itself along forest edges, near rivers, and within dense shrubberies. It excels in these ecotones, where increased light availability and moisture from riparian zones facilitate rapid growth and expansion. By colonizing the margins of established woodlands and the banks of waterways, the species effectively infiltrates various successional stages of an ecosystem. Its presence in these specific habitats allows it to exploit disturbed areas and edge habitats, where it can outcompete native vegetation for sunlight and soil nutrients, often altering the structural composition of the shrub layer and riparian corridors.

Habitat :

forest edges, rivers, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Lonicera maackii is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecosystem through repeated growing seasons. As a deciduous plant, it undergoes a distinct seasonal cycle where it sheds its foliage annually in response to colder temperatures or changing environmental conditions, entering a period of dormancy before regrowing new leaves in the spring. This lifecycle enables the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations while maintaining a persistent vegetative structure over multiple years.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lonicera maackii is characterized by its woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, meaning it does not act as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of structural support, the plant is described as self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine. Reaching significant dimensions, the plant typically attains an average height of 4.9 m, with a maximum height potential of up to 5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

4.9 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lonicera maackii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency in temperate environments. The plant exhibits specific morphological adaptations in its foliage, featuring elliptic leaf forms that lack any structural defenses such as thorns or spines. Furthermore, the leaf margins are entire, contributing to the overall physiological profile and structural integrity of its vegetative growth.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lonicera maackii is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and specialized seed dispersal mechanisms. The flowering period for this species is concentrated in the month of June, with both the flowering start and flowering end occurring during this time. Once fertilization is successful, the plant produces seeds with a highly consistent mass; the seed mass is measured at a mean of 0.0030625 g, with a minimum and maximum value both recorded at 0.00306 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, meaning they are primarily distributed by animals, which aids in the colonization of new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Seed mass max:

0.00306 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0030625 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lonicera maackii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Lonicera maackii has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Iridoids, Isoflavones, Procyanidins.

Flavonoids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Natural product research

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Plant physiology

Iridoids

1. Natural product research

Isoflavones

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Procyanidins

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

flavonols

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Lonicera maackii has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Hepatoprotective.

Antibacterial

1. Natural product research

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Antitumor

1. Natural product research

Hepatoprotective

1. Natural product research

Conditions

Lonicera maackii has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include bronchitis, respiratory diseases.

Bronchitis

1. Natural product research

Respiratory diseases

1. Natural product research