American Beautyberry
Callicarpa americana
Verbenaceae (Verbena Family)
▲ mature shrub
▲▼ immature fruit in leaf axils
▲▼ shrubs with mature, bright pink fruit in clusters in leaf axils
▲▼ shrubs with mature, bright pink fruit in clusters in leaf axils
Location near campus: in east end of Master Gardener's Demonstration Center at Nathanael Greene Park at the Botanical Center; on west side of entrance gates at Darr Agricultural Center.
Callicarpa americana: American Beautyberry
o leaves similar to Japanese Beautyberry, but more ovate with less pointed tip
o stems 4-sided with light brown pubescence
o flowers are lavender in leaf axils on new growth in late spring
o fruit are very bright pink to red and very showy
o grows 3-10' tall as a coarse, open shrub
o can trim back to ground each year, since it flowers on current season’s wood
o prefers full sun to light shade; does better in higher moisture soils
o fast growth rate
o native to Missouri