PlantFiles: Bush Honeysuckle, Tatarian Honeysuckle
Lonicera tatarica

It's sad that not more people recognize this plant - it is just as bad - maybe worst than buckthorns into invading woodlands. Birds eat their fruit and spread the seeds all over the region. Will grow dry woodland as well as moderate moisture sites, seem to have troubles in lowland woodland shade - maybe vines choke it to death? Seem to prefer woodland edges and large open areas where they get some sun but can't get in grasslands and compete with grasses. I have only one plant left in my yard - I try to get every fruit it produce before birds get them. Seedlings from wild plants sometimes appear in my yard as they infect heavily a woodland about 1/2 mile away from my house.

It seems that the wood is attractive to cats: a couple in Calgary sells both mature branches and slices of them as cat toys. (This species appears to be the only one that cats really like.) If you have some plants to prune back or even to destroy, you might want to save some of the wood. I got a small piece on a visit to Calgary a while back and my cat goes nuts for it...then loses it. When it turns up again she's licking it, putting it in her water bowl... this cycle has gone on for several years.

I don't think I'd plant any on purpose just for my cat, though. Seems to be a weed in most places.

Not quite as common, but just as invasive as it's cousin, Japanese Honeysuckle, Tatarian Honeysuckle is another Eurasian plant which has escaped into the wild.

It can be identified by it's pink flowers and maroon stems, which are hollow.

Found pretty much throughout the lower 48 states and Canada along roadsides and thickets. The red berries are attractive to birds and wildlife, and they are responsible for this plant's spread.