Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii)

Originally seen in various regions of Asia, it was brought to America for ornamental purposes, but quickly gained support from the U.S. Soil Conservation Service as an erosion control method. Widespread throughout the eastern United States down to the Carolinas, it is a noted invasive species in the Northeast. This type of honeysuckle grows as a shrub, reaching 6-10 feet when fully grown, with shreddy bark and white flowers that fade to yellow, replaced in the summer by red fruits that are often paired. The leaves are elliptical and slightly hairy; the twigs are hollow.

The shrubs grow quickly, outcompeting nearby shrubs, while shading out the ground beneath them, starving most ground vegetation. Small, young plants can be removed by hand by uprooting, but larger plants may require mechanical removal. Removal of the whole plant is effective, while repeated cutting and application of herbicides can serve to kill the plant as well.