Ecology/Environmental Science
Project
Beauty Berry
Picture taken by: Eric Williams
GPS Points taken by: Marie Granados
Location: Pine Ridge Nature Preserve at Bok Tower Gardens,
Lake Wales, Florida
Elevation: 242Ft
Latitude: N27.93968
Longitude: W81.57773
Scientific Name: Callicarpa America AKA Beautyberry,
Beauty Bush, American Beautyberry, French Mulberry
Beautyberry is a multi-branched deciduous shrub found in wooded
areas and well-drained pinelands. The shrub grows to about 2M
tall. It has young stems with star-shaped hairs, that are light
brown. The leaves are also covered with star-shaped hairs. This
plant is called Beautyberry mainly because of its flowers and
fruit. The flowers are pink and they appear in late spring and
early summer.
The fruit is small and the color is magenta or rich purple. They
flower in clusters. They appear in late summer and fall. Animals
including birds are attracted to the fruit but bees especially
like the pink flowers. The fruit thrives best in the sun but it
can also live in shade. The plants scientific name is Callicarpa
America. The name Callicarpa comes from the Greek meaning
“bearing beautiful fruit”. May this is where the name beautyberry
comes from.
Article written by: Katelyn Nelson
