Orange Honeysuckle -or- Western Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa), family Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle)
The plant is a native to forests areas of western North America with only about 20 species living here. Europe has about the same population of species. Compare this to China - it has over 100 species in residence! While many of the honeysuckle flowers produce a sweet nectar that can be ingested safely, some produce berries that are mildly toxic. So be careful in your harvesting out there.
FUN FACT:
One of the most amusing factoids we have come across yet in our plant research is this from WIKIPEDIA. Honeysuckle flowers in Victorian times were believed to spawn erotic dreams. Teenage girls were forbidden, in those times, to bring the plants home.
Another creature in addition to homo-sapiens is affected by honeysuckle, cats. The honeysuckle species Lonicera tartarica contains the same substance (nepetalactone) that is in catnip. The wood from the plant is recuced and used to make up cat toys. On the medical front WIKIPEDIA has this on the genus: 'Lonicera xylosteum (Fly Honeysuckle) is a common homeopathic remedy, used for asthma, breathing difficulties and syphilis. Lonicera periclymenum (European honeysuckle) is an uncommon homeopathic remedy, used for irritability with violent outbursts.' End quote.
USES:From the marvelous source Native American Ethnobotany is this: Chehalis - Infusion of leaves taken as a contraceptive. Infusion of crushed leaves used as a hair wash to make it grow. Cowichan - Leaves used for medicine. Klallam - Poultice of chewed leaves applied to bruises. Lummi - Decoction of leaves taken for tuberculosis. Skagit - Decoction of leaves applied to the body as a strengthening tonic. Swinomish - Infusion of leaves used as a steambath to stimulate lacteal flow. Infusion of bark taken for colds and sore throats. Thompson -
Infusion of woody part of vine taken in small amounts or used as a bath for epilepsy and for children with epilepsy. Flowers sucked for epilepsy. Decoction of chopped, cooked vine stems taken by women who could not become pregnant. Vine pieces used under the pillow to induce sound sleep. Vine pieces used under the pillow to induce sound sleep. Nectar sucked from flowers by children. Stems used as a black dye for bitter cherry. Vines used with other plants as building materials. Fiber obtained from stems used as twine and thread.
Nitinaht - Tubes formerly sucked by children for sweet nectar. Okanagan-Colville - Flower nectar sucked by hummingbirds.Flower
Plant location: Hwy 12, Split Creek Trail#133 - Idaho - June 21, 2017. Elevation 1800'.
Bloom period: late spring to early summer, a perennial. Foliage
Found on May 27, 2007 - Washington state.
This was our original sighting of Orange Honeysuckle. We couldn't remember where in Washington we were at the time. Slightly over 10 years later on a casual walk in Idaho, lo and behold, there was another instance of the plant. This time we made sure to get photos of the foliage and plant view.
Hwy 12, Split Creek Trail#133 - Idaho - June 21, 2017
Emerging, or immature flowers.
Hwy 12, Split Creek Trail#133 - Idaho - June 21, 2017