American Beautyberry

American Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana

American Beautyberry is a native shrub that grows in the southeastern United States. It averages 1.5 m (5 ft) in height, but in favorable conditions of part shade and moist soil it may grow up to 2.75 m (9 ft) in height. The shrub is most recognizable in autumn and winter with yellow-green foliage and clusters of iridescent purple fruits along the branches, a favorite and long-last fruit for songbirds, foxes, opossums, raccoons, armadillos, deer, and squirrels. American Beautyberry has an extensive ethnobotanic history by many Native American tribes for dizziness, stomachaches, dysentery, urine retention, and more. It, as well as others in the genus Callicarpa, have been extensively researched for antibacterial, antifungal, anti-insect growth, cytotoxic, and phytotoxic biological activities. Two terpenoid compounds of are particular interest as an insect repellent against mosquitoes, ticks, and fire ants.