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