Lonicera tatarica

Lonicera tatarica is a species of honeysuckle known by the common name Tatarian honeysuckle. It is native to Siberia, other parts of eastern Asia (majority of this species is found in China) and they are also known to grow in the Himalayas, however it is better known in North America as a widespread introduced species and noxious weed. Honeysuckles are native to temperate zones of both hemispheres. This plant, one of several exotic bush honeysuckles present in North America, was introduced as an ornamental plant in 1752. It is known across the continent west to Alaska and California, where it easily grows in disturbed habitat.
Description.
"Lonicera tatarica" is a bushy shrub which may approach in erect height. It is lined with oval or rounded simple leaves long. The inflorescence ranges in color from deep rose to light pink, and can also be white. The petals are typically ¾ to 1 inch long, with a slender tube and 2 lips, the upper lip which contains 4 lobes, and the middle 2 are erect and fused near the base.
The leaves and stem range from 1 to 2 ½ inches long, ½ to 1 inch wide. They are egg shaped and both are hairless and toothless.
The twigs can be an array of colors from green to brown with a hollow brown pith.
The fruit that is produced by " L. tatarica " are shiny bright red berries, which contain seeds and are ¼ to ⅓ inch in diameter. of white to pink to crimson red flowers each about long. The flowers are somewhat tubular, their stamens and styles protruding. The fruit is a shiny orange or red berry up to a centimeter wide. The berries are attractive to wildlife. The plant forms thickets and spreads easily when birds and other animals consume the fruits. The flowers that bloom have a sweet smell that is reminiscent of honeysuckle and the environment it prefers is partial sun with moist, loomy soil. However, it is also able to grow in full shade or sun and in dry or sandy soils.
In cultivation, "Lonicera tatarica" has hybridized with other shrubby species of "Lonicera". Crossed with "L. morrowii", it forms the invasive hybrid "L." × "bella". It can also hybridize with "L. ruprechtiana" and "L. xylosteum".
Distribution.
" Lonicera tatarica " originates from Eurasia. Therefore, when this species is in North America, they act as an invasive species. "L. tatarica" threatens native habitats because they grow quickly and form thick, impenetrable mats that smother their competitors.
Ecology.
"Lonicera tartarica" most commonly invades thickets, open woodlands, roadsides and fence rows. Animals such as birds and mammals disperse the seeds, causing a rapid spread which often leads to a dense understory thicket that not only restricts native plant growth but also inhibits biodiversity. Once "L. tatarica" is introduced into an environment, it is hard to control the growth of the plant in nature because honeysuckles grow at high density. In addition to high densities, "L. tatarica" has the ability to suppress the growth of other native plants in the area thus, creating monocultures. Some other problems that have been reported with the invasion of "L. tatarica" includes depletion of soil moisture and nutrients, allelopathic chemicals functioning to chemically alter the growth of native plants, as well as reductions in the density of tree seedlings in the area.
Impact on humans.
This species has a low poisonous severity level to humans, but the berries that grow from this plant are not recommended for consumption by humans. There have been no reports of "Lonicera tatarica" being correlated with any human death upon consumption. Symptoms that have been associated with the consumption of "L. tatarica" are diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. 