Callicarpa americana L.
Abstract
American beautyberry is a shrub that can reach 2.4 to 2.7 m in height but is typically shorter, averaging 0.9 to 1.8 m. The irregular, spreading bush has an open growth habit and grows as a single plant or in colonies. Bark is brown and raised lenticels are found on older stems. The opposite, short-petioled, simple, deciduous leaves are ovate to elliptic in shape. They are pointed at both the base and the apex, and the margins are coarsely serrate. American beautyberry ranges through the Southeastern United States from Maryland and Virginia south to Florida and west to Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. It also grows in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, northern Mexico, and in the West Indies. The species is a drought-tolerant perennial shrub and is common along forest edges and fence rows, and in open pine plantations in the southeastern United States. It is very tolerant of fire and resprouts easily. However, it is intolerant of deep shade and is only found in the better drained areas of bottomland hardwood stands. It is often cultivated for its fall display of purple to violet fruits which form in clusters that encircle the stem. Each drupe contains four small seeds. American beautyberry is a good source of food for deer and the fruits attract birds.