The more I walk through Lincoln Park in Chicago the more I see that I’m sure I’ve never seen before. This morning I observed Grape Honeysuckle (Lonicera reticulata), a variety of Honeysuckle that seemed quite different from the Honeysuckly vines that are most familiar to me. The round leaf pairs surround the flower whirls, seeming to protect the blooms; the flowers have no stalks. Copyright 2024 Pamela BreitbergThe large leaves of the Grape Honeysuckle vine first caught my eye. The large central cluster of flower buds inside the cupped leaves seemed quite original in design. Nature continue to amaze. Copyright 2024 Pamela BreitbergGrape Honeysuckle vine can reach fifteen feet. This native perennial seems quite happy in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. This plant was on the outside edge of the Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary inside the park. Copyright 2024 Pamela BreitbergGrape Honeysuckle flowers are yellow appearing in clusters of up to five whorls of six flowers. The leaves can reach three and a half inch long and wide. Quite striking. Copyright 2024 Pamela Breitberg
