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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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