Virgin's bower is native to, and can be found over, much of the eastern United States, and as far west as Kansas. Toxicodendron radicans, poison-ivy, can be distinguished because its leaves are alternate, and it climbs by aerial roots rather than twining leaf stalks. Japanese honeysuckle is a twining, climbing, or trailing vine which may be deciduous in colder climates but semi-evergreen to evergreen in more southerly locations. The leaves are opposite and simple, ovate to oblong in shape with margins that are entire and sometimes lobed. Both the leaves and twigs are hairy.
Stems have a hollow pith.
The flowers are fragrant, white to yellow, and bloom in May producing black fruits in late summer that can persist into fall. The leaves may take on a purplish tinge in the fall. This plant is spread by seed and fast growing runners that have been known to grow 9 m a year and can root at the nodes. Japanese honeysuckle may engulf small plants and saplings in its way. In the southeastern U.S., Japanese honeysuckle has taken over natural areas by choking out the native vegetation.