Practical
Plants

Callicarpa americana

American Beautyberry

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
1.8 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

Fruit - raw[2][5]. Juicy, sweet, fleshy, slightly aromatic[3]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[7].

Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

A decoction of the root bark has been used as a diuretic[9]. The leaves are a cure for dropsy[11]. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of dysentery and stomach aches[8][9]. A tea made from the roots and berries is used in the treatment of colic[8][9]. Some native North American Indian tribes used the leaves and roots in sweat baths for the treatment of malaria, rheumatism and fevers[8][9].

Product or use
Diuretic

Environment

Range
South-eastern N. America - Florida to Texas and north to Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Habitat
Rich woods and thickets[10].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow February in a greenhouse[12]. Only just cover the seed[4]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 18°c[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 10cm long, July/August in a frame. High percentage[12]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth with a heel[12] taken in early spring[7].

Cultivation

Requires a sunny position or light dappled shade[1][7]. Prefers a highly fertile well-drained loamy soil[7]. This species is hardy to about -18°c according to one report[7] whilst another says that it is only really hardy in the milder parts of Britain, though some forms should prove to be hardier[1]. Requires cross-pollination for good fruit production[6]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. ? Encyclopaedia Britannica. 15th edition.

    ↩

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  8. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

    ↩

  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

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