Why is it called a honeysuckle? I thought only bees could make honey!?

Honeysuckle was so named because honey is easily sucked from the flower by long-tongued insects. The name actually covers a wide variety of vines or shrubs under the genus Lonicera (derived from the Adam Lonitzer, a 16th century German herbalist).








Etymology of Honeysuckle:





- from the Middle English 'honysoukel';


an alteration of 'honisouke'


- from Old English 'hunsuce':


hunig (honey), sucan (to suck);








As for _why_ it is named 'Honeysuckle'; apparently, the nectar is slightly thicker than most plants, is quite sweet, and, should you follow the advice of Poster #2, you will find that it does indeed taste like honey.





I do not think that the plant _literally_ contains honey, however :)

Why is it called a honeysuckle? I thought only bees could make honey!?
IF YOU PICK A BLOSSOM AND SUCK ON THE CENTER OF IT YOU GET HONEY!
Reply:It is only a flowering pleant. However, the bees do collect pollen from this plant to use in the making of honey