They are deciduous, with opposite, entire leaves, and often the older branches are hollow. Differences between individual species of non-native honeysuckles are dependent on the presence of pubescence on leaves and flowers and the length of flowers and their stems. Bush honeysuckles flower during May and June. Amur and Morrow's honeysuckle flowers are both white, fading to yellow as they age.
Fruits are red and are found in pairs in the axils of the leaves.
Japanese honeysuckle, an exotic, is also a twiner. See page 63 for its description. However, a shrub should be accurately identified as a bush honeysuckle before attempting any control measures. These species were introduced to North America in the late 1800s and 1900s. Morrow's honeysuckle and Amur honeysuckle are now known from northern and central Missouri.