American Beautyberry
(Callicarpa americana)

Left: Callicarpa americana in ASMSA Garden in Late Summer 2023.

Above: Mature photo of the Callicarpa americana from the web.

Plant Characteristics

Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Callicapra americana is best grown in full sun to partial shade and in moist to dry, well-drained, acidic or neutral soils, they will suffer in soil that is too wet/not well drained.

Growth Habit/Description:

Medium-sized deciduous shrub 3 to 6 ft in height and 3 to 6 ft wide with lime-green leaves. Fruit is clustered, typically a lavender/purple color. Generally a fast-growing species.

Bloom Season:

Blooms mid to late summer and early to mid fall. Flowers are small, pink, in dense clusters at the bases of the leaves, clusters
usually not exceeding the leaf petioles.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

Yes. Callicarpa americana is best shown during the fall season, when it is covered with purple fruit.

https://heppy.org/wp-content/uploads/Map-of-the-American-Beautyberry-Callicarpa-Americana-Beautyberry-shrub-American-Beautyberry.png

Distribution

Habitat: Callicapra americana is common in woods, especially on moist regions beneath open pine canopies, thickets, right-of-ways, and fence rows. It has adapted to grow in moist, loam, sandy, and shallow upland sites with wide ranges of pH.

Native to Arkansas? Yes

Native to Garland County? Yes

Endemic to Arkansas? No

Ecological Value

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes. Callicarpa americana is a host plant for many caterpillar species especially the snowberry clearwing(Hemaris diffinis) and the spring azure (Celastrina ladon).

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes. The berries grown from the Callicarpa americana and it's seeds are essential for many bird and small mammal species.

Other Interesting Facts

Origin of Name: The name Calicarpa means beautiful berry, the name originates from the berries produced by the Callicarpa americana.

Related Plant Species: Closely related species to the Callicarpa americana include the Japanese and Amethyst beautyberry and the Callicarpa japonica.

Use For Food/Medicine:

The Callicarpa americana is edible but has a rather bland/bitter taste to it. Though its taste isn't anything special, it can be used to create an effective bug repellant.

References

Porter, F. D., Porter, A. F. D. P. http://aplnj. com/about-us/team/ F. D., Author:, & Porter, F. D. (2018, October 15). Beautyberry – Callicarpa americana. almost PERFECT Landscaping. https://aplnj.com/dont-prune-that-beautyberry/

American beautyberry. Growing Wild Nursery. (n.d.-a). https://www.growingwildnursery.com/products/callicarpa-americana

Plant fact sheet - USDA plants database. (n.d.). https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_caam2.pdf

American beautyberry. CAROLYN’S SHADE GARDENS. (n.d.). https://carolynsshadegardens.com/tag/american-beautyberry/#:~:text=Its%20pink%20flowers%20in%20early,the%20leaves%20join%20the%20stem.

Callicarpa americana. (n.d.). https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/calame/all.html#:~:text=IMPORTANCE%20TO%20LIVESTOCK%20AND%20WILDLIFE,and%20gray%20fox%20%5B30%5D.

TyrantFarms. (2022, September 25). How to use American beautyberries as food and Mosquito repellent. Tyrant Farms. https://www.tyrantfarms.com/how-to-use-american-beautyberries-as-food-and-mosquito-repellent/#:~:text=American%20Beautyberry%20(Callicarpa%20americana)%20is,used%20an%20effective%20insect%20repellent.

Last edited by Daymod Franklin, September, 2023.

American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)