Leaf phenology and freeze tolerance of the invasive shrub Amur honeysuckle and potential native competitors

The influence of light habitat on the physiology, biomass allocation, and fecundity of the invasive shrub Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii, Caprifoliaceae)1

“…Lonicera maackii demonstrates many traits attributed to successful invasive species, such as extended leaf phenology, high fecundity, allelopathic suppression of other plants, tolerance to a variety of habitats, and high photosynthetic rates that facilitate the establishment and spread of this species (Luken et al 1995a, Luken et al 1997, Dorning and Cipollini 2006, McEwan et al 2009, McEwan et al 2010, Cipollini, Titus, and Wagner 2012, Lieurance and Cipollini 2013, Ali, Lieurance, and Cipollini 2015. Due to its moderately high light requirements, it is particularly successful in fragmented habitats, and this is a trait that L. maackii shares with many other prominent invasive plants (Luken and Goessling 1995, With 2002, Fan et al 2013.…”

Earthworm, microbial biomass, and leaf litter decay responses after invasive honeysuckle shrub removal from urban woodlands.

“…However, an extended leaf phenology gives this shrub a longer photosynthetic season compared to native competitors and allows it to persist and spread in shady, forest interiors McEwan et al 2009a). L. maackii breaks bud during the late winter to very early spring and retains its leaves later in the fall than most natives in the canopy and understory (Trisel and Gorchov 1994), a trait that may be attributed to its superior cold tolerance (McEwan et al 2009a).…”

“…L. maackii breaks bud during the late winter to very early spring and retains its leaves later in the fall than most natives in the canopy and understory (Trisel and Gorchov 1994), a trait that may be attributed to its superior cold tolerance (McEwan et al 2009a). This may allow L. maackii to take advantage of the high light conditions in the forest understory during the spring and fall months when the tree canopy is leafless, resulting in a longer growing season and enhancing the shrub's net carbon gain.…”

“…Canopy disturbance and gap formation allow for initial establishment (Luken and Goessling 1995;Hutchinson and Vankat 1997) and shrub populations are able to persist and spread due to an extended leaf phenology (Trisel and Gorchov 1994;McEwan et al 2009a) and high allocation towards reproduction (Ingold and Craycraft 1983). As invasion proceeds, relatively open forest understories are replaced by dense monocultures of honeysuckle shrubs (Collier et al 2002).…”

Woody plant communities of three urban wetlands and the success of an invasive shrub (Lonicera maackii) over natural and experimental flooding gradients.

“…Hidayati et al (2000 demonstrated that higher percentages of L. maackii germinated in light than dark treatments, though the effects of partial shade were not examined. But despite being fairly shade intolerant , it has an extended leaf phenology that allows it to persist in the forest understory after canopy closure (McEwan et al 2009). …”