Himalayan honeysuckle
Leycesteria formosa
Family: Caprifoliaceae
What it is like
A deciduous shrub. It grows to 1.5-2.5 m high. It spreads 1.8 m wide. The stems have a glaucous bloom and then are dark green and polished. They are like thick grass shoots and hollow. It forms a thicket with time. The leaves are opposite and narrowly oval. The leaves are pointed. The flowers are white and funnel shaped in racemes 10 cm long. They are at the ends of branches. They droop. There are wine-red bracts around the flowers. The fruit are purplish-black berries.
There are 6 Leycesteria species. It can be invasive.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It can tolerate light frosts. It grows best in moderately fertile well drained soil. It can grow in full sun or part shade. It grows between 1,500-3,000 m altitude in the Himalayas. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Britain, China, Europe, Himalayas (country/location of origin), India, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, Tasmania, Tibet, USA
How it is used for food
The red berries are eaten fresh. They have the flavour of bitter chocolate.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. The seeds can be grown in containers. The seeds grow easily. The seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years.
The fruit normally ripen only a few at a time.
Its other names
Local names
Bhujnali, Chocolate berry, Duni, Danda bhekar, Elisha's tears, Flowering nutmeg, Malkarr, Partridge berry, Pu-ko-longs, Saunjla, Sezha, Tunguk