Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata
Santa barbara honeysuckle, Santa Barbara Honeysuckle
Photo: parent species Lonicera subspicata · (c) mel letterman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Caprifoliaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata (Santa barbara honeysuckle) is a native California shrub in the Caprifoliaceae family, recognized by key features: restricted range, narrow leaves, climbing habit.
Santa barbara honeysuckle is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern Channel Islands, specifically Santa Catalina Island, and western Transverse Ranges in chaparral habitats at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces delicate cream to yellow flowers in small clusters. Growing with arching branches 1 to 2 meters tall, it forms a loosely structured, somewhat tangled shrub. Its leaves are distinctive, narrowly elliptic and approximately three to four times longer than wide, with smooth margins and a muted green coloration. The shrub provides important habitat and nectar for local pollinators in its coastal chaparral environment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features: restricted range, narrow leaves, climbing habit
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura
Bloom period
Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 var. subspicata native to California?
Yes. Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata bloom?
Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata grow?
Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata occurs in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata belong to?
Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata is in the Caprifoliaceae family, genus Lonicera.
Is Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata rare or endangered?
Lonicera subspicata var. subspicata carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2?.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Lonicera tatarica — Tatarian honeysuckle
- Lonicera cauriana — Blue fly honeysuckle
- Lonicera ciliosa — Orange honeysuckle
- Lonicera conjugialis — Double honeysuckle
- Lonicera etrusca — Etruscan honeysuckle
- Lonicera hispidula — Pink honeysuckle
- Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus — Snowberry
- Symphoricarpos longiflorus — Fragrant snowberry
- Symphoricarpos mollis — Creeping snowberry
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.