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Diervilla lonicera

Common name:	Bush Honeysuckle	Family:	Caprifoliaceae
Author:	Mill.	Botanical references:	11, 200
Synonyms:	Diervilla humilis (Pers.), Diervilla canadensis (Willd.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Florida.
Habitat:	Dry gravelly soils[200] in woodlands[235].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	D. diervilla[B,P] D. lonicera var. hypomalaca[B,P]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Bush-honeysuckle [FEIS], Northern Bush Honeysuckle [P], Northern Bush-honeysuckle [DEN1,B],
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Dipsacales. Honeysuckle family

Physical Characteristics

A decidious shrub growing to 1m by 1m . It is hardy to zone 3. It is in flower from July to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Diuretic Galactogogue Laxative Narcotic Ophthalmic.

The leaves are diuretic[257]. A compound decoction has been used in the treatment of stomach aches[257]. This contrasts with a report that the leaves contain a narcotic principle, inducing nausea[207]. The plant is used as a gargle in catarrhal angina[207].
The root is diuretic, galactogogue, laxative and ophthalmic[257]. A cooled infusion has been used as an eyewash for sore eyes[257].
The bark is laxative and ophthalmic[257]. An infusion has been used to increase milk flow in a nursing mother and as an eyewash for sore eyes[257].

Other Uses

Soil stabilization.

The plants stoloniferous habit makes it useful for soil stabilization on banks and slopes[200].

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a moist fertile well-drained soil and is not fussy as to soil type[200]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[188].
Plants are hardy to about -30° c[200].
This species is a spreading suckering plant[11], it makes a useful understorey planting in woodlands[200].
Any pruning can be carried out in the winter or after flowering[188]. 2 or 3 year old stems can be removed in order to promote a more shapely bush[188]. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth[11].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if possible, otherwise in late winter or early spring. 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.
Division of suckers in the spring[200].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[188].
Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn in a frame[188].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[B] Data (Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[P] Data. (uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
[DEN] Data _ Photos (Good Identification info) from the Virginia Tech's Dendrology Deptarments' Tree Fact Sheets.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
[FEIS] Data (Uses, Ecology, Fire Effects) from the USDA Forestry Service Fire Effects Information System.

References for the family Caprifoliaceae.

To be included in the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[207] Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6
A nice read, lots of information on plant uses.

[235] Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.

[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963

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