Taxonomy
Leycesteria formosa | Himalayan Honeysuckle
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
First reported in the wild
1955
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of Medium Impact
Irish status
Established
Introduction pathways - 1
Escape from Confinement
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Ornamental purpose
Invasive score
14
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
A deciduous shrub, up to 2m tall; leaves oval 5-18cm long; tall green bamboo like stems; purple berries, 5-12mm (Booy et al., 2015)
Ecology
No documented impacts recorded for Leycestria formosa, though appears to be expanding its range in Britain (Preston et al., 2004) and Ireland (Reynolds, 2002). Forms dense thickets that can exclude native vegetation (Booy et al., 2015).
Habitat
Woodland, forest and other wooded land; Inland unvegetated or sparsely vegetated habitats; Constructed, industrial or other artificial habitats; Regularly or recently cultivated agricultural, horticultural or domestic habitat
Reproduction
Fruits are dispersed widely by birds (Heleno, 2011) and small mammals (Williams et al., 2000).
Pathway and vector description
Used as a hedging plant and as cover for pheasants (Preston et al., 2004; Reynolds, 2002), still widely sold as an ornamental so difficult to ascertain its expansion of range due to repeated introductions or natural spread. Fruits are dispersed by birds, particularly robins and chaffinches (Heleno et al., 2011).
Mechanism of impact
Competition
Broad environment
Terrestrial
Habitat description
Typically found in hedgerows and on waste ground, occasionally found in woodland (Preston et al., 2004; Reynolds, 2002).
Species group
Plant
Native region
Temperate Asia
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Established - Widespread, more common in the south east. Distribution is likely an artefact of recording effort.
Native distribution
Native to the Himalayas (Preston et al., 2004).
Temporal change
Date of first record category
1951-1960
Fifty year date category
1901-1950
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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How can you help
Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
References
Publications
Booy, O., Wade, M. & Roy, H. (2015) A Field Guide to Invasive Plants & Animals in Britain. Bloomsbury.
Heleno, R. H., Ross, G., Everard, A. M. Y., Memmott, J., & Ramos, J. A. (2011). The role of avian ‘seed predators’ as seed dispersers. Ibis, 153(1), 199-203.
Reynolds, S.C.P. (2002) A catalogue of alien plants in Ireland. National Botanic Gardens. Glasnevin, Dublin.
Preston, C.D., Pearman, D. A. & Dines, T. D. (2002). New atlas of the British and Irish flora. An atlas of the vascular plants of Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, Oxford University Press.
Williams, P. A., Karl, B. J., Bannister, P., & Lee, W. G. (2000). Small mammals as potential seed dispersers in New Zealand. Australian Ecology, 25(5), 523-532.