[Shrubs with Simple-pinnate Leaves]

Family:

Honeysuckle Family

Habitat:

Open, understory forest plant

Characteristics:

1. Woody shrub 2-6 feet tall with simple, opposite, round leaves.

2. Urn-shaped corolla of white to pink terminal flowers bloom in early summer.

3. Waxy white berry readily identifies this plant from fall through winter. Berries remain on ends of bare twigs.

Uses:

1. Berries are bitter and best left to beautify the winter woodland.

2. The Latin name means soap. These plants were often used as a soap by Northwest Indians.

Paul Slichter