WSU Clark County Extension
PNW Plants Searchable, categorized images
              

Black Twinberry

Scientific name: Lonicera involucrate
Taxonomy
Family:Caprifoliaceae
Type:Deciduous shrubs
Native:YES
Plant Requirements
Zone:6 to 8
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:6 ft
Width:10 ft
Bloom:Showy flowers
Bloom Time:March to July
Bloom Color:Yellow
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Black Twinberry is a woody, branching honeysuckle shrub semi-evergreen to fully deciduous in the Pacific Northwest. Black Twinberry is also known as Inkberry for the fruits' color, as well as Bracted Honeysuckle for its showy flower bracts that accompany the black fruit.

  Morphology:
This is a deciduous shrub that grows to 6’ tall and 10’ wide. It bears ovate to oblong, lance-shaped, bright green leaves that are hairy underneath and along the margins.

As early as the end of March it begins to set tubular flowers, half inch in length, which are surrounded by large green bracts. The flowering season extends through the beginning of July.

By early June ripe berries are on display. When they mature, bright red bracts surround purple-black to jet-black doubled fruit. Fruit are globose berries up to 3/8” in width.

Young branches have yellow bark which ages to yellow-brown.

As with most honeysuckles, the twinberries attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies

  Adaptation:
This species prefers full sun to partial shade. It thrives in a wide array of soils and sites. As a native plant, it will populate moist sites along streams and swamps, as well as along the ocean near sand dunes.

Parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234