Mountain fly honeysuckle (Lonicera villosa)

Family: Caprifoliaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Native to northern North America Lonicera villosa or Mountain honeysuckle is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft). The blue berries are eaten raw or preserved. They have a milder flavour than most edible honeysuckles; they can be eaten raw but are mainly used for making jams, jellies and refreshing drinks. There is a distinct bitterness in the flavour, even when fully ripe. Lonicera villosa solonis is smaller plant growing to 0.8 m (2ft 6in).

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

milder flavour than most edible honeysuckles, they can be eaten raw but are mainly used in making jams, jellies and refreshing drinks. — Fruit - raw or preserved.; A milder flavour than most edible honeysuckles, they can be eaten raw but are mainly used in making jams, jellies and refreshing drinks.; There is a distinct bitterness in the flavour, even when fully ripe.

Habitat & North American Range

Peaty or rocky barrens, bogs and bushy places, especially on limestone. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)