Astragalus gilviflorus

Lonicera dioica

Twining Honeysuckle

Lower Leaf Bottom Close-Up

Crooked Lake Provincial Park
02-June-2006

Note the pubescence on the midrib.

Note that the key to the genera in Budd's Flora requires:

	flowers usually in pairs; NOT [flowers in clusters]
	inflorescence axillary as well as terminal; NOT [inflorescence all terminal in compound cymes]

In addition, the key to the genera in Flora of Alberta requires:

flowers mostly in pairs; NOT [flowers in clusters]

In fact, the terminal inflorescence is composed of pairs of three-flowered, opposite cymules. The species description in Flora of the Great Plains describes all these cymules as sessile. In fact, there are both sessile and non-sessile cymules present in the inflorescence.

Dioica: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora and Flora of Alberta leading to this species.

somewhat twining or reclining shrub; NOT erect shrub

upper leaves connate; NOT [leaves all separate]

uppermost connate leaves obtuse or acute; NOT pointed at tip

uppermost connate leaves glaucous; NOT green

inflorescence a terminal cluster; NOT [flowers in pairs on axillary peduncles]

flowers conspicuous, yellow to reddish

fruit red

Lonicera: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora (BF) and Flora of Alberta (FOA) leading to this genus.

plants erect or twining shrubs; NOT [low, slender, trailing evergreen shrub]

leaves simple; NOT [leaves pinnately compound]

leaves entire or undulate; NOT [leaves toothed or lobed], NOT [leaves with finely toothed margins]

inflorescence axillary as well as terminal; NOT [inflorescence all terminal in compound cymes] (BF)

flowers mostly in pairs; NOT [flowers in clusters] (BF, FOA)

calyx with short lobes; NOT [calyx with 5 linear lobes]

flowers often slightly irregular; NOT [flowers regular]

corolla funnelform or tubular; NOT [flowers campanulate], NOT [corolla rotate]

flowers with 5 stamens; NOT [flowers with 4 stamens]

fruit a red or black berry; NOT [fruit a white berry], NOT [fruit a capsule], NOT [fruit a drupe], NOT [fruit white or purplish]

fruit with 2 or more seeds; NOT [fruit containing a flattened stone]

Caprifoliaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora leading to this family. Not all of these answers apply to all members of Caprifoliaceae found in the Canadian prairies. However, they all do apply to all members of Lonicera found here.

shrubs; NOT [trees], NOT [herbs]

large shrubs; NOT dwarf shrubs

leaves opposite or whorled; NOT [leaves alternate]

stems bearing few to several flowers; NOT [stems bearing a solitary flower]

stamens 5; NOT [stamens more than 5], NOT [stamens 2]

ovary inferior; NOT [ovary superior]

fruit fleshy; NOT [fruit a capsule]