Honeysuckles are beautiful flowers that grow on arching shrubs or twining vines that have vibrant green leaves. Hummingbirds, bees and people are attracted to these plants for the same reasons…intoxicating fragrance and sweet nectar.
I do not make a habit of eating things I find growing wild. Many times as a child my mother would encourage me to taste the honeysuckle, but it just was not my thing. Mom did, however, find willing participants in her plant sucking, namely her granddaughters.
I remember Alyssa running to me after spending a few hours with Mom and excitedly proclaiming, “I ate a honeysuckle!”
Actually, you do not eat (chew) a honeysuckle – you suck out the flower’s nectar.
How To Eat A Honeysuckle
It is quite simple to eat a honeysuckle.
- Pull off the bottom green part that holds the petals together.
- You will see the tail of a “string” and you need to slowly pull it out from the petals.
- At the end of that “string” you will find nectar.
- Lick and enjoy!
If you say “Honeysuckle” really fast, it almost sounds like, “Honey, suck up.” Of course, that is not a flower. That would be what women do to get their husbands to buy a new pair of shoes, large appliance or a car.
I don’t really think about “sucking up” because it takes too much effort. Alyssa thinks I am missing a major woman gene because she has mastered the art with me. Some day her husband will know just exactly what I am talking about too.
Anyway, I passed a whole bunch of honeysuckles today and thought of my sweet mother. Every time I see one, I think of her and the fun times we spent together when I was a child. I also think about Alyssa’s excitement at being able to eat a flower.
Just thought I would say, “I love you Mom and Alyssa.”
I'm in the process of writing a couple books. Because I was diagnosed with a 
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I don't think I've had honey suckle in years…mostly because around here they started spraying pesticide on it so it's not even save to enjoy. But they do taste so sweet!
Really enjoyed this post, didn't know you could eat honeysuckle!! Love the fragrance though….
great post. My Mother used to have honey suckle growing along the fence and I would stand there for an hour picking and licking, giggle.Hoping your weekend is a sweet one. Thinking of you and sending ?
I loved this post. It is one of my favorite memories as a child to eat honeysuckle. Especially during tough years when we didn't have a place to live during the days I remember my Mom taking us to to parks to play and discover that you could drink the nectar of honeysuckle.
I love to "eat" and smell them. Great post
Husband introduced me to honeysuckle on one of our trips. Seducing fragrance. You made me laugh with suckle up. Always glad to learn a new word – even when the meaning isnt unknown to me….
I’m glad to find this site because growing up I remember sucking the sweet nectar of these flowers and wonder if others enjoyed the same experience. It was my sweet little secret back then.
Awwww! I think many of us have this same lovely experience, so we know your secret. LOL