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var. lactea

Form/fruit

Beautyberry, American Beautyberry, French Mulberry, American Mulberry, Spanish Mulberry, Bermuda Mulberry, Sour-bush, Sow-berry
Callicarpa americana

Verbenaceae

American beautyberry grows in rich woods and thickets in East Texas, especially in the coastal plain pinelands. It has small, unspectacular greenish-white flowers in early summer, but they are followed by clusters of beautiful purple berries clinging to the branches in late summer. American beautyberry is best suited to semi-shaded sites with some moisture. It can tolerate full sun if given supplemental watering, and can tolerate some drought, but does not do well on thin, rocky soils. Otherwise it is remarkably tolerant of various soils and habitats. It has long, arching branches, and if they are pruned by half in the winter it will be more compact. C. americana var. lactea is a white-berried variety that will come true from seed. The seeds are a favorite of many species of birds and other wildlife, so much so that they can disappear in a matter of days.

Plant Habit or Use: medium shrub

Exposure: partial sun

Flower Color: greenish white

Blooming Period: summer

Fruit Characteristics: berry-like drupe

Height: 4 to 6 feet

Width: 4 to 6 feet

Plant Character: deciduous

Heat Tolerance: medium

Water Requirements:

Soil Requirements: adaptable

USDA Hardiness Zone: 7

Additional Comments:



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