Callicarpa formosana (Beautyberry)


Botanical Information

FamilyVerbenaceae
GenusCallicarpa
Speciesformosana
CategoryPerennials
TypeShrub (deciduous)
OriginChina, Japan, Philippines, and Taiwan.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
The roots are used as an antidote for poisonous fish, crabs and toadstools, as a remedy for gonorrhoea, and as an emmenagogue.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone8
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH4 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Height3 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodJanuary, February, March

Description and Growing Information

LandscapeGenerals use in parks and gardens, massing in borders.
PropagationBy cuttings and seed.
Notable SpecimensBok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida, United States of America.
HabitatForest margins and grassland.
Leaf DescriptionLeaves are ovate to elliptical (oval) or oblong-lanceolate (intermediate between elongated with parallel sides to lance-shaped).
Flower DescriptionSmall, purple flowers, 2.5 mm, are arranged in an cyme 3-4 cm wide.
Fruit DescriptionPurple, berry-like fruits , 2 mm wide, are actually drupes (fleshy fruits that contain hard pits with seeds inside).

Photographs