Chaparral honeysuckle facts for kids

Lonicera interrupta, also known as chaparral honeysuckle, is a type of honeysuckle plant. It grows naturally in the chaparral and mixed forest areas of California, especially in the foothills and mountains. You can also find it in some mountains in Arizona.

What is Chaparral Honeysuckle?

Chaparral honeysuckle is a tough bush with a woody stem. It's known for its bright yellow flowers and shiny red fruits. This plant is very good at surviving in dry places.

Where Does it Grow?

This honeysuckle loves the sunny, dry environments found in California's chaparral and mountain ranges. It also grows in parts of Arizona. It's a common sight in places like the Sierra Nevada mountains and the California Coast Ranges.

What Does it Look Like?

The chaparral honeysuckle is a sturdy shrub. It sends up tall spikes of flowers.

Flowers and Fruits

The flowers of the chaparral honeysuckle are yellow and grow in clusters called inflorescences. Each flower is about one centimeter long. They have parts called stamens that stick out from their curled-back petals. These flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds, which help to pollinate them.

After the flowers, the plant produces fruits. These fruits are bright red, round, and look very shiny.

Tough and Thirsty

One special thing about chaparral honeysuckle is that it's very drought-tolerant. This means it can live well even when there isn't much rain or water. It's perfectly suited for the dry climates where it naturally grows.