| Bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is the predominate shrub or
understory tree along the Lake and Spillway Trails. Brought from Asia,
this plant has replaced native Tennessee wildflowers and shrubs such
as trilliums (Trillium spp.), dwarf larkspur (Delphinium tricorne),
and rusty blackhaw (Viburnum rufildulum), which previously grew near
the trail. Away from its native range, this honeysuckle lacks the
natural limiting factors such as disease, insects, and competition
for remaining in balance with other Asian forest plants. Spring ephemeral
wildflowers requiring sunlight to penetrate to the forest floor suffer
from its invasive shade. It also depletes the soil of nutrients, water,
and growing space. Although many enjoy the brilliant red berries in
the fall, park naturalists are currently trying to remove bush honeysuckle
from sensitive areas of the park. Bush honey suckle is deciduous (loses
its leaves yearly ), but retains leaves until mid winter, developing
new ones in late winter |
