Жимолость

The plant

The type species of the genus Lonicera is Lonicera caprifolium. The genus includes 158 species native to northern latitudes in North America, Eurasia, and North Africa. Widely known species include Lonicera periclymenum, called common honeysuckle or woodbine, and Lonicera japonica, called Japanese honeysuckle. Most species of Lonicera are hardy twining climbers, with a minority of shrubby habit. Honeysuckle derives its name from the edible sweet nectar obtainable from its tubular flowers. In most species the berries are mildly poisonous, but in a few, notably Lonicera caerulea, they are edible. Some species are highly fragrant and colorful, so are cultivated as ornamental garden plants.

Species

Lonicera japonica is a species of honeysuckle native to East Asia, including many parts of China. Its flowers open white and fade to yellow. It has become an invasive species in a number of countries, and it is used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Lonicera caprifolium, the Italian woodbine, is a species of perennial flowering plant native to parts of Europe. It is a vigorous, deciduous climber growing up to 8 metres. Its cream-coloured flowers, tinged with pink, appear in midsummer.

Lonicera periclymenum is native to much of Europe, North Africa, Turkey and the Caucasus. In the UK it is the only native honeysuckle. The plant is usually pollinated by moths or long-tongued bees.

Volatile compounds

One hundred and eight compounds, such as hexanal, 1-octen-3-ol, benzaldehyde, and eugenol, have been listed across all honeysuckle species. Twenty-seven compounds were identified in the flowers of Lonicera japonica across three stages of development. In those flowers, germacrene D was a major component at all stages. Linalool and alpha-farnesene appeared in high concentrations in fresh and 24 h flowers but were greatly reduced in overnight flowers. Overnight flowers contained elevated levels of phenylpropanoid biosynthesized compounds.

Thirty-six key odorants were identified across the honeysuckle extracts studied. The key odorants of honeysuckle may potentially be used to discriminate it by species.

Honeysuckle absolute

Honeysuckle absolute, CAS 8023-93-6, is also named Lonicera caprifolium absolute.

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