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Callicarpa americana Linnaeus. Common name: Beautyberry, American Beautyberry, French-mulberry, Filigrana. Phenology: Jun-Aug (-Dec); Aug-Feb (persisting into the winter). Habitat: Hammocks, other forests (especially with sandy or rocky soils), maritime forests (the main habitat northward), pine flatwoods, disturbed areas. Distribution: MD and AR south to s. FL, TX; West Indies. Reported as native for Lyon County, KY (Brock 2020).

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy : = Ar, Bah, C, F, Fl6, G, GrPl, K4, Mo3, NcTx, RAB, S, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WH3, Atha et al (2019b). Basionym: Callicarpa americana L. 1753

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Wetland Indicator Status:

  • Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
  • Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
  • Great Plains: FACU
  • Midwest: FACU

Heliophily : 5

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image of plant© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Sonnia Hill | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Emily Oglesby | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Jacob Dakar | Original Image ⭷

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Horticultural Information

NCBG trait

Intro: cbnxcbncbmncxb

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Height: 4-8 ft.

plant sale text: American beautyberry is a fountain-shaped shrub native to coastal NC. This adaptable species is tolerant of various soils, as long as soil does not dry out. Its gracefully arching stems are showy throughout the fall, due to clusters of bright purple berries. It works well as an understory shrub. To keep American beautyberry more compact you can prune its stems back close to ground level in March but wait until its third year so it is established.

bloom table text: While this common native shrub appears somewhat unremarkable through most of the year, it creates a striking display in September. This is when the pale pink midsummer flowers give way to whorls of violet berries that brighten the fall landscape and attract the attention of Bluebirds, Mockingbirds, Robins and Thrushes. It is a favorite of the Black-throated Blue Warbler in fall migration. Beautyberry is quite easy to cultivate, growing vigorously in almost any soil and in all but the deepest shade. To keep American beautyberry more compact you can prune its stems back close to ground level in March but wait until its third year so it is established.

description: cbnxcbncbmncxb

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cultural notes:

germination code: 2 (3 months)

native range: se. U.S. to Mexico & West Indies



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