Flower profile
Utah honeysuckle
Lonicera utahensis
Utah honeysuckle (Lonicera utahensis) is a shrub in the Caprifoliaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–June across the U.S.
Utah honeysuckle is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 3 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
Quick look
Lonicera utahensis is a species of flowering plant in the honeysuckle family known by the common names Utah honeysuckle, red twinberry, and fly honeysuckle. It is native to western North America.
- It belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 8 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. NatureServe
- In Wyoming, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
- In Montana, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as yellow. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early summer. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 5 ft. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 733 research-grade sightings of it in Wyoming, ranking #26 among the 113 flowers on our Wyoming list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 598 research-grade sightings of it in Montana, ranking #71 among the 128 flowers on our Montana list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 400 research-grade sightings of it in Idaho, ranking #100 among the 143 flowers on our Idaho list. iNaturalist
When does it bloom?
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Wyoming
- No list Wyoming has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Wyoming ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Wyoming.
- Montana
- No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Montana.
- Idaho
- No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Idaho.
- Rare elsewhere
- No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
USDA PLANTS rates its toxicity as “slight.” (USDA's rating covers people and livestock and doesn't say which parts.) NC State Extension has no page for it. USDA PLANTS
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records Utah honeysuckle in 8 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
Wyoming counties with USDA records: Fremont, Lincoln, Park, Sheridan, Teton.
Montana counties with USDA records: Cascade, Flathead, Judith Basin, Lake, Missoula, Powell, Silver Bow.
Idaho counties with USDA records: Ada, Adams, Benewah, Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Bonneville, Boundary, Caribou, Clearwater, Custer, Fremont, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Nez Perce, Owyhee, Shoshone, Teton, Valley, Washington.
Growing conditions
USDA PLANTS gives Utah honeysuckle a low shade tolerance, none drought tolerance and high moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.0 to 8.0 and winter lows down to -23 °F.
- Shade tolerance
- Low
- Drought tolerance
- None
- Moisture use
- High
- Soil textures it is adapted to
- medium, fine
- Soil pH range
- 6.0 to 8.0
- Minimum temperature tolerated
- -23 °F
- Frost-free days needed (minimum)
- 120
- Annual precipitation range
- 24 to 60 inches
- Minimum root depth
- 12 inches
- Salinity tolerance
- None
- Fertility requirement
- Low
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Lifespan
- Moderate
- Active growth period
- Spring and Summer
- Fruit or seed
- Red · Summer to Fall
- Can be propagated by
- bare root, container, cuttings, seed
- Commercial availability
- Routinely Available
From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for LOUT2. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.
Names, range and relatives
Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.
County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 75 counties across 8 states; the most are in Idaho (22), Utah (15), Washington (13).
Other Lonicera on Bloomipedia (7): Amur honeysuckle, Japanese honeysuckle, Twinberry honeysuckle, Pink honeysuckle, Coral honeysuckle, Orange honeysuckle, Morrow's honeysuckle.
More from the Caprifoliaceae family (18 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Wild teasel, Common snowberry, Twinflower, Cutleaf teasel, Northern bush honeysuckle, Sitka valerian, Common valerian, Shortspur seablush.
More Wyoming flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile LOUT2.
- iNaturalist, Lonicera utahensis: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Lonicera utahensis (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Wyoming: Wyoming state designated noxious weeds (W.S. 11-5-102(a)(xi)), as listed by the Wyoming Weed & Pest Council.
- Montana: Montana noxious weed list (Admin. R. Mont. 4.5.206–4.5.210).
- Idaho: Idaho noxious weeds (IDAPA 02.06.09, Section 220).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Lonicera utahensis (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: USDA PLANTS.
- Photo: Josiah Londerée via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.