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Help identifying a plant #2

 
steward
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I found this small forest shrub just behind a forest garden on one of my lawn edges.  Help!  I really want to know what it is.  It's about 2' tall, has hanging twin yellow flowers, and the stems have "knuckles" (what is those features actually called?) along them where I assume growth stopped for a season and then restarted?  I assume these are wild here.  I know that I did not plant them.  Any ideas?
Screenshot-2026-05-03-072706.jpg
small mystery forest shrub
small mystery forest shrub
Screenshot-2026-05-03-072846.jpg
[Thumbnail for Screenshot-2026-05-03-072846.jpg]
circled the knuckles
 
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The look of the leaf buds and the fact that the flowers are two by two makes me think some sort of honeysuckle? Maybe? Admittedly the flowers themselves don't look exactly like the honeysuckle flowers I'm familiar with, but there seems to be some that aren't too dissimilar. Look at Lonicera pileata, for instance.


 
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Looks like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirca_palustris
 
Greg Martin
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Thank you guys!  I ran out after reading some of the descriptions and I'm pretty sure that it is Dirca palustris, Eastern Leatherwood.  I ran out to check how flexible the branches are and they are crazy flexible!  No doubt that I could tie them into a knot without breaking them!  Appreciate the help in getting me to know more of my flora neighbors.

Not an edible for people, but very pretty and I read that the fruit feeds robins and orioles and the nectar feeds the Mourning Cloak butterfly, so I'll keep an eye out for those guys.  Much appreciated.
 
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Could be a good candidate for basketry if it's really flexible.  I really like those "knuckles"
 
Greg Martin
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Jill Dyer wrote:Could be a good candidate for basketry if it's really flexible.  I really like those "knuckles"


Found this online: "Bark is leathery, tough and strong. Twigs are extremely pliable. Native Americans used the twigs and bark for a number of purposes including making bow strings, baskets, fishing line and rope."
 
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