# Beautyberries (*Callicarpa*)

Beautyberries are colorful shrubs that grow small, bright purple berries. They are fun to see in gardens and parks, especially in late summer and fall when they are full of berries!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Beautyberries](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Purple_Beautyberry_Callicarpa_dichotoma_'Early_Amethyst'_Berries_Closeup_2875px.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Photo (c)2007 Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man ), CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Purple_Beautyberry_Callicarpa_dichotoma_'Early_Amethyst'_Berries_Closeup_2875px.jpg)

## Appearance

The Beautyberries has vibrant, metallic purple berries that densely cluster along its stems in autumn, making it instantly recognizable. Its inconspicuous tiny pink or white flowers appear in late spring, followed by broad green leaves that turn yellow or purplish in fall.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Genus:** Callicarpa

## Interesting facts

- Early American settlers used beautyberry leaves to keep fleas away from their horses!
- Its unique purple berries are often used by florists in stunning autumn arrangements!
- Some species of beautyberry produce white berries instead of purple!
- The brilliant color of beautyberry fruit actually comes from special pigments called anthocyanins!

## Special abilities

- **Winter Bird Buffet:** Beautyberries has brightly colored berries that attract many bird species, providing a vital food source in late autumn and winter.
- **Natural Repellent:** Beautyberries can deter insects like mosquitoes, as compounds in its leaves have been traditionally used as a natural repellent.
- **Resilient Roots:** Beautyberries can thrive in challenging conditions thanks to its deep root system, allowing it to withstand periods of drought.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 100-300 cm
- **Spread:** 100-250 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** Mild
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — consumes the nutritious berries
- **Eats:** [Cedar Waxwing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cedar-waxwing) (*Bombycilla cedrorum*) — feeds on the abundant fruit clusters
- **Pollinates:** Honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) — visits small flowers for nectar and pollen
- **Eats:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — forages for the persistent berries

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
- [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

While the berries are safe to touch, it's best not to eat them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Beautyberries?

Compare how the fruit is clustered, the leaves and their arrangement, the stems and any thorns. Red, blue and black fruits grow on lots of unrelated plants, and the same color can show up on both edible and poisonous species. Berry Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Beautyberries?

100-300 cm

### How wide does Beautyberries spread?

100-250 cm

### How big are the flowers on Beautyberries?

0.3-0.5 cm

### When does Beautyberries bloom?

Late spring to early summer

### Is Beautyberries edible?

No

### Is Beautyberries toxic?

Mild

### What is Beautyberries's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Godaisan Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/godaisan-park) — Kochi, JP · Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Beautyberries: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/beautyberries)