The Caprifoliaceae family, commonly known as the Honeysuckle Family, belongs to the order Dipsacales. It is a diverse plant family comprising approximately 53 genera and 857 species. The family is renowned for its vines and shrubs, although it also includes trees and herbaceous plants.
Caprifoliaceae species are widely distributed, with a significant number of them found in North America and Eastern Asia. These plants are highly valued for their ornamental qualities and are frequently cultivated for their attractive flowers, foliage, and sometimes fragrance. They are popular choices in gardens and landscaping due to their aesthetic appeal.
One of the most well-known members of the Caprifoliaceae family is the honeysuckle vine (Lonicera spp.), celebrated for its sweetly scented, tubular flowers that attract pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. Other notable genera within the family include Symphoricarpos (snowberry), Weigela, Diervilla (bush honeysuckle), and Viburnum. These plants exhibit a wide range of growth habits, from climbers and sprawling shrubs to compact, ornamental trees.
The leaves of Caprifoliaceae plants are typically opposite or whorled and may be simple or compound. The flowers vary in color, shape, and size, with many species producing showy clusters of blooms. The fruits of some Caprifoliaceae species, such as certain honeysuckle varieties, are cherished for their edible berries.
In addition to their ornamental value, Caprifoliaceae plants also play ecological roles, attracting pollinators and providing food and habitat for wildlife. Some species have medicinal or culinary uses as well.
Most Caprifoliaceae family members have opposite leaves. The flowers are bilaterally symmetric. They have a capitate stigma and a nectary which is made of densely packed hairs and is located at the inner part of the corolla tube. Ovaries are inferior. The fruits are fleshy, berries or drupe with either one or a few seeds.
The largest genera are Lonicera which includes about 180 species. Among them is the Honeysuckle, a fragrant favorite of many gardeners. Scabiosa with almost 30 species is another popular genus.
The genera in the Caprifoliaceae family include:
Abelia
Acanthocalyx
Aligera
Aretiastrum
Asterocephalus
Astrephia
Bassecoia
Belonanthus
Calyptrostigma
Calysphyrum
Caprifolium
Cavaleriella
Centranthus
Cephalaria
Chamaecerasus
Cryptothladia
Devendraea
Diabelia
Diervilla
Dipelta
Dipsacus
Ebulum
Fedia
Heptacodium
Kantemon
Kentranthus
Knautia
Kolkwitzia
Lepicephalus
Leycesteria
Linnaea
Lomelosia
Lonicera
Macrodiervilla
Metalonicera
Microtinus
Morina
Nardostachys
Nintooa
Patrinia
Pentapyxis
Periclymenum
Phenianthus
Phyllactis
Plectritis
Pseudobetckea
Pseudoscabiosa
Pterocephalidium
Pterocephalodes
Pterocephalus
Pycnocomon
Scabiosa
Scabiosiopsis
Siphonella
Sixalix
Solenotinus
Spongostemma
Stangea
Succisa
Succisella
Symphoria
Symphoricarpos
Thlasidia
Thyrsosma
Triosteum
Triplostegia
Trochocephalus
Tynus
Valentiana
Valeriana
Valerianella
Vesalea
Weigela
Weigelastrum
Weigelia
Xylosteon
Zabelia
