Bush Honeysuckle is one of many non-native species in the St. Louis area that has been introduced from Europe.  As a plant, it offers little in the way of food or shelter for wildlife with the exception being for other European species such as the house sparrow and the European Starling.  Since it is not from here, it does not share the same diseases and herbivores as the native plants do and therefore has a competitive advantage over the native species.  The result:  Honeysuckle takes over. 

Why is this so bad?

When honeysuckle takes over, the ecosystem, which previously had dozens to hundreds of plant species is reduced to a mere handful of species with Bush Honeysuckle representing over 90% of them.  With plant diversity down, animal diversity follows.  You get fewer birds and animals in the same amout of area.  Additionally, erosion goes up! 

How is Bush Honeysuckle responsible for erosion?

Because of its umbrella growth habit, the honeysuckle plants are spaced out, often dozens of feet apart.  They shade out everything around them creating a ring of dirt where little else grows.  Additionally, they are shallow rooted and don't hold the soil well.  Results:  soil loss every time it rains.  This creates gully's which take our valuable topsoil to the ocean and polute the waters with silt, pesticides, and other chemicals from our yards and homes.

What can I do?

Simply put...KILL IT!  By removing the plant, native species can regain a foothold in the area and start holding the soil and attracting wildlife.  For more information on how to kill honeysuckle see the appropriate page on this site or visit the Missouri Conservation web page.