Vine Honeysuckle Lonicera japonica 

Basic info - Vine honeysuckle is a semi-evergreen, semi-woody vine first introduced to the US from Japan and eastern Asia in 1806 as an ornamental ground cover. It has since escaped cultivation, and has been known to significantly alter or even destroy the myriad of natural ecosystems it has invaded. 

Impacts - Vine honeysuckle is an aggressive invader, competing with native species for everything from space to sunlight and even for soil. Its climbing growth habit can lead to dense blankets forming over other vegetation, choking out smaller plants and proving serious competition for even the most aggressive native plants. It has been observed with 15 foot horizontal roots that can also reach 3 to 4 feet deep [1]. 

Identification - The vine honeysuckle can have a creeping or climbing habit depending on its surrounding environment. Its leaves are usually oval-shaped, have smooth edges, and are less than three inches long [3,5]. Juvenile leaves are sometimes lobed. Numerous fragrant flowers appear in pairs near the ends of branches, starting white and slowly yellowing as the blooms age. These flowers are then replaced by small, dark purple-to-black berries, only about 6 mm in diameter at maximum. 

What can you do to help? - If you've identified a vine honeysuckle, or think you might have but aren't sure, you can report your discovery on the EDDMapS (Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System) app or website or upload an image of it to the iNaturalist app. 

The vine honeysuckle can be removed manually, provided the plant is not established and the soil is moist enough. It must be removed thoroughly, taking care to ensure the entire root system has been excavated, or the plant will re-sprout. Once removed, make sure all parts of the plant are bagged and disposed of or burned. Never compost invasive plants!

Manual removal can be very difficult or impossible the more established a plant or stand of plants becomes, so herbicides and/or prescribed fire can be utilized effectively as well. 

Some native alternatives include Virgin's bower (Clematis virginiana), Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), Limber honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica), or Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens).