Lonicera involucrata
Twinberry, Twinberry
(c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Caprifoliaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Lonicera involucrata (Twinberry) is a native California shrub in the Caprifoliaceae family, recognized by Erect shrub; paired flowers with conspicuous leaf-like involucre of 2 bract pairs; glandular herbage.
Twinberry is a native shrub found in mixed montane forests and riparian areas from low to mid-elevation zones. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow-tinged flowers in distinctive paired clusters surrounded by conspicuous leaf-like bracts that partially enclose the developing fruit. Growing 0.6 to 3 meters tall with erect stems that are sparsely hairy and glandular, the shrub has a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are elliptic to ovate, 3 to 12 centimeters long with rounded or tapered bases and acute tips. The fruit develops as a glossy black berry nestled within an enlarged purple or red spreading involucre, creating a striking visual contrast.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Erect shrub; paired flowers with conspicuous leaf-like involucre of 2 bract pairs; glandular herbage
Habitat and range
California counties: Lake, Humboldt, San Diego, Mendocino, Fresno, Mariposa, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, Tulare, Del Norte, Alameda, Sonoma, Nevada, Monterey, Alpine, Tuolumne, Plumas, Sierra, Yuba, Mono, Madera, Contra Costa, Modoc, Marin, San Francisco, Siskiyou, Santa Barbara, San Mateo, El Dorado, Santa Cruz, Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Colusa
How to tell it apart
vs Symphoricarpos: Lonicera flowers are tubular and swollen on one side; Symphoricarpos has symmetrical bell-shaped flowers and white berries.; vs Rhamnus: Lonicera has showy tubular two-lipped flowers; Rhamnus has tiny inconspicuous greenish flowers with 4-5 separate petals.; vs Ceanothus: Lonicera has large tubular flowers; Ceanothus has tiny flowers in dense showy clusters.; vs Quercus: Lonicera has tubular flowers and berries; Quercus has catkins and produces acorns.; vs Vaccinium: Lonicera flowers are tubular and two-lipped; Vaccinium has symmetrical urn-shaped flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lonicera involucrata native to California?
Yes. Lonicera involucrata is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Lonicera involucrata grow?
Lonicera involucrata occurs in Lake, Humboldt, San Diego, Mendocino, Fresno, Mariposa, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo and other counties.
What plant family does Lonicera involucrata belong to?
Lonicera involucrata is in the Caprifoliaceae family, genus Lonicera.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.