Wildflowers of the United States

American Beautyberry, French Mulberry - Callicarpa americana

Genus Common Name: Beautyberry

Native Status: Native

Dicot Perennial Shrub

Callicarpa americana - American Beautyberry, French Mulberry. American Beautyberry is a well-named shrub growing usually to around 5 feet tall, sometimes taller, and 5 to 10 feet wide. The beauty of this plant, native to the southeastern United States, makes it an attractive addition to a native garden.

According to the USDA, the roots, leaves, and branches were used by native Americans medicinally for treatment of fevers, rheumatism, stomachaches, dysentery, and other conditions.

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Distribution of Callicarpa americana in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
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Site: Mountain Cove Farm, Walker County, Ga Date: 2010-September-20	Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson Nikon D60 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The most striking feature of Callicarpa americana are the clusters of beautiful violet to magenta berries that surround the stems at the leaf nodes.

Site: Mountain Cove Farm, Walker County, GA Date: 2011-June-26	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
The pale pink blossoms of American Beautyberry grow at the leaf nodes. Due to the leafy nature of the plant, they are not nearly as showy as the larger berries.
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Site: Mountain Cove Farm, Walker County, GA Date: 2010-September-20	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60
The berries surround the stem at the leaf nodes. The leaves are opposite.
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Site: Walker County, GA (Cultivated) Date: 2011-June-25	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
When viewed in detail the American Beautyberry shows that it has beauty other than in its showy berries. This photo is of a Beautyberry bush that I planted along our driveway the prior fall, so it is a cultivated specimen, rather than wild.
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Site: Mountain Cove Farm, Walker County, GA Date: 2010-September-20	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60
The leaf of Callicarpa americana is somewhat ovate in shape with serrated margins.
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Site: Mountain Cove Farm, Walker County, GA Date: 2011-June-26	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro

Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: Mountain Cove Farm, Walker County, GA Date: 2010-September-20	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60
American Beautyberry is a shrub growing usually to around 5 feet tall, sometimes taller, and 5 to 10 feet wide. If you decide to plant one, make sure you allow plenty of room, unless you plan on pruning it back after the fruits are gone each season.
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Site: Mountain Cove Farm, Walker County, GA Date: 2010-October-30	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D60 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro

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Callicarpa americana initially published on USWildflowers.com 2010-09-23; Updated 2015-06-25

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Code Update 20230302