Invasive Alien Species in Belgium: Lonicera japonica

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Lonicera japonica - Japanese honeysuckle

ISSG CPS

French name:	Chèvrefeuille asiatique
Dutch name:	Japanse kamperfoelie
Family:	Caprifoliaceae

Group:	Vascular plants
Origin:	Asia
Habitat:	terrestrial
Introduction:	agri- and horticulture

ISEIA Score : 10

Naturalization in Belgium

First observation in the wild:	1984
Invasion stage:	spread
Spatial distribution:	restricted

Invasiveness

Reproduction in the wild:	yes
Dispersion potential:	likely
Natural habitats:	medium

More on invasiveness: In Belgium and neighbouring countries, this ornamental species was increasingly observed during the two last decades. It was found in a variety of habitats, often disturbed by human activities (e.g. forests, wood margins and ruderal areas). It grows vigorously in full sun and prefers rich soils.

Impacts on Species

Predation / Herbivory:	low
Competition:	high
Disease transmission:	low
Genetic effects:	unknown

Impacts on Ecosystems

Nutrient cycling:	likely
Physical alteration:	high
Natural successions:	high
Food web alteration:	low

More on impacts: This vigorous vine often forms a curtain of vines on forest edges. It spreads rapidly on forest floors via above-ground runners that root at nodes and quickly climbs into canopies in tree gaps where light is increased. Once established, the dense canopy smothers understorey shrub layer and inhibits establishment of later successionnal species. It may occasionally kill trees by cutting off sap flow. The production of allelopathic chemicals into the ground is suspected.

Data Source & References

Authors:	Baus Erika, Branquart Etienne, Vanderhoeven Sonia, Van Landuyt Wouter, Van Rossum Fabienne, Verloove Filip.
Published on:	13 May 2022
Last update:	13 May 2022

References:

Beans, C.M., Kilkenny, F.F. & Galloway, L.F. (2012)

Climate suitability and human influences combined explain the range expansion of an invasive horticultural plant.

Biological Invasions (in press)

ISSG (Invasive Species Specialist Group) (2006)

Online fact sheets

Global Invasive Species Database, IUCN.

NatureServe (2009)

Lonicera japonica.

From NatureServe Explorer, an online encyclopedia of Life.

Schweitzer, J.A. & Larson, K.C. (1999)

Greater morphological plasticity of exotic honeysuckle species may make them better invaders than native species.

Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 126(1): 15-23.

Verloove, F. (2010)

Lonicera japonica.

In: Manual of the Alien Plants of Belgium [available online], National Botanic Garden of Belgium.

Wittenberg, R. (2005)

An inventory of alien species and their threat to biodiversity and economy in Switzerland.

CABI Bioscience Switzerland Centre report to the Swiss Agency for Environment, Forests and Landscape. The environment in practice no. 0629: 155p.