Ruprecht's honeysuckle

Family Caprifoliaceae. In Primorye along riverbanks on pebbles or on stony screes, in broad‑leaved forests, and often on burned areas, a large shrub is found alone or in groups, reaching 3–4 m in height, with brown‑gray bark.

This is Ruprecht's honeysuckle (L. ruprechtiana), which first appeared in St. Petersburg in 1800. It is now widely distributed because it is winter‑hardy and drought‑resistant. The oval or nearly lanceolate leaves are densely pubescent beneath and appear somewhat felted. The bright yellow paired bilabiate nectariferous flowers that appear in the second half of May adorn the shrub for 2–3 weeks. Bright red or orange‑red separate fruits ripen in late July to the first half of August. It flowers and fruits from 3–4 years of age. Propagated by seeds and by cuttings, whose rooting when treated with indolebutyric acid reaches almost 100%. Planted singly and in groups, used for creating protective shelterbelts.

At 5 years the height is 1.7 m, crown diameter 180 cm; at 13 years height 3.8 m, crown diameter 250 cm. Vegetation period from the first half of April until the end of September–October. Grows quickly. Flowers from 3–4 years, in the second half of May–June, for about 10–12 days. Fruits from 4–6 years, annually, abundantly; fruits ripen in the second half of July to the first half of August. Winter hardiness complete. Seed viability up to 80%, germination up to 65%. Cleaning seeds from pulp, storage conditions, sowing preparation and sowing depth do not differ from those of L. maackii.