Are Honeysuckle Berries Poisonous? What Research Says

Honeysuckle plants are known for their sweet-smelling flowers, but what about their berries? If you’ve ever stumbled upon these colorful little fruits while out on a nature walk, you might have wondered: are honeysuckle berries poisonous? Let’s dive into what research tells us about these intriguing berries.

Table of Contents

What Are Honeysuckle Berries?

Honeysuckle berries are the fruit produced by plants in the Lonicera genus, which includes about 180 species of shrubs and vines. While the flowers of some honeysuckle species are prized for their sweet nectar, the berries that follow are a different story altogether¹.

Picture this: You’re strolling down a street in a city, and suddenly you spot clusters of bright red berries hanging from small trees along the roadside. Tempting as they may be, those shiny little orbs are likely the fruit of the honeysuckle plant.

Are Honeysuckle Berries Typically Eaten?

Short answer: No, they’re not typically eaten. In fact, most wild honeysuckle berries are considered toxic and should be avoided².

But here’s where it gets interesting:

Edible varieties: Out of the 180 honeysuckle species, only a handful produce edible berries. The most common edible varieties are the blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea) and haskap berries³⁴.
Garden vs. Wild: You’re more likely to find these edible berries in gardens or berry farms. If you’re out in the wild, chances are the honeysuckle berries you encounter are not the edible kind.

The Poisonous Truth About Honeysuckle Berries

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: are honeysuckle berries poisonous?

The answer is yes, most of them are. Here’s what you need to know⁵:

Toxic varieties: Most wild honeysuckle berries, especially those with red, orange, or dark purple berries, are considered toxic. This includes species like Japanese honeysuckle and several North American native species.
Severity: While honeysuckle berries are poisonous, their toxicity level is generally not severe. They’re also quite bitter, which reduces the risk of someone eating a large amount by accident.

Symptoms of Honeysuckle Berry Poisoning

If someone does ingest these berries, they might experience:

Dizziness
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
In severe cases, unconsciousness

For pets, symptoms might include dilated pupils and excessive drooling. Yikes!

What to Do If You’ve Eaten Honeysuckle Berries

Accidentally munched on some honeysuckle berries? Don’t panic! Here’s what you should do⁶:

Stay calm (I know, easier said than done!)
Remove any remaining berries from your mouth
Drink some water to help flush out the berry residue
Monitor for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or irregular heartbeat
Contact a healthcare professional or poison control center for advice

Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to wild berries!

The Sweet Exception: Honeysuckle Flowers

Here’s a fun fact to end on a sweet note: While the berries are off-limits, honeysuckle flowers are a different story. The name “honeysuckle” actually comes from the sweet nectar in the flowers.

As a kid, did you ever pluck a honeysuckle flower and suck the nectar from the base? If you did, you were participating in a time-honored tradition that’s perfectly safe (and delicious)!

Just remember: enjoy the flowers, but leave those berries alone. Nature’s beauty is best appreciated with your eyes, not your taste buds – at least when it comes to honeysuckle berries!