American beautyberry
Callicarpa americana L.
American beautyberry's most conspicuous purple clusters are fruits, not flowers. This deciduous shrub carries its smaller flowers at the leaf axils before the colorful fruit develops along the stems. NC State Extension
Recognizing the plant
Arching branches bear opposite, toothed leaves. Watch the points where leaves meet the stems: small flowers appear there, followed by the close-set purple fruit clusters that give beautyberry its name. NC State Extension
When it blooms
North Carolina regional guidance (NC State Extension)
NC State lists flowers in June and July, followed by fruit from August through October. The two displays belong to different stages of the plant's season. NC State Extension
Native range
Kew records the native range as the central and southeastern United States, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Cuba. Within North Carolina, the state flora places it chiefly in the Coastal Plain and southeastern Piedmont; it is scarce in the mountains. Kew Plants of the World OnlineFlora of North Carolina
Flowers and wildlife
The flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators. Later, the fruit supports songbirds and small mammals; fruit feeding is a separate ecological role from flower pollination. NC State Extension
Botanical sources
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Flowering dates vary with location and growing conditions.