Lonicera subspicata
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Family: Caprifoliaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Lonicera subspicata is a native California shrub in the Caprifoliaceae family, recognized by Twining/reclining shrub; flowers in a long interrupted spike; pale-yellow 2-lipped corolla; small leaves not fused around stem.
Chaparral honeysuckle is a native shrub found in California's coastal and southern mountain ranges, typically growing in chaparral and woodland habitats at elevations of 300 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces pale yellow tubular flowers 8 to 12 millimeters long that are often slightly hairy. Growing with twining or reclining stems 90 to 240 centimeters long, it develops a flexible branching structure that allows it to spread over surrounding shrubs. Its leaves are relatively small, measuring 1 to 4 centimeters long, with rounded or slightly tapered bases and blunt tips. The fruit develops as bright red or yellow berries approximately 8 millimeters in size, providing visual interest after flowering.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Twining/reclining shrub; flowers in a long interrupted spike; pale-yellow 2-lipped corolla; small leaves not fused around stem
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 subspicata native to California?
Yes. Lonicera subspicata is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Lonicera subspicata belong to?
Lonicera subspicata is in the Caprifoliaceae family, genus Lonicera.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lonicera subspicata var. denudata
- Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata — Santa barbara honeysuckle
- Lonicera tatarica — Tatarian honeysuckle
- Lonicera cauriana — Blue fly honeysuckle
- Lonicera ciliosa — Orange honeysuckle
- Lonicera conjugialis — Double honeysuckle
- Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus — Snowberry
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.