Six species of deciduous or semi-evergreen suckering shrubs, stems arise from the base, cane-like, hollow, and becoming woody (lignified) in the second year. Leaves simple, opposite, with petioles. Flowers in terminal and axillary nodding clusters with colorful bracts, corolla tube usually 5-lobed, 5 stamens, 5 sepals. Fruit is many-seeded berry. Native range from western Himalaya to southwestern China.
Leycestria: after William Leycester, Chief Justice of Bengal during the early 19th century.
Pronunciation:
li-ses-TE-ri-a, lest-E-ree-a
Family:
Caprifoliaceae