Callicarpa dichotoma 'Early Amethyst'
Beautyberry (Callicarpa) is a genus of shrubs and small trees in the family Lamiaceae[1][2][3]; between 40-150 species are accepted by different botanists. They are native to east and southeast Asia (where the majority of the species occur), Australia, southeast North America and Central America.Callicarpa dichotoma
Purple Beautyberry fruits Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked):Angiosperms (unranked):
Eudicots (unranked):
Asterids Order: Lamiales Family:
Verbenaceae Genus: Callicarpa Species:
C. dichotoma Binomial name Callicarpa dichotoma Callicarpa dichotoma (common names, Purple Beautyberry or Early Amethyst) is species of beautyberry.
They are cultivated as garden trees. The flowers are pink to white. The berries which are small drupes are purple. The fruits grow closely together in large clusters. The fruit provides food for wild life. The berries are bitter and are unfit for culinary use. This species can be found in China and Japan.
Growth
The temperate species are deciduous, the tropical species evergreen. The leaves are simple, opposite, and 5–25 cm long. The flowers are in clusters, white to pinkish. The fruit is a berry, 2–5 mm diameter and pink to red-purple with a highly distinctive metallic lustre, are very conspicuous in clusters on the bare branches after the leaves fall. The berries last well into the winter or dry season and are an important survival food for birds and other animals, though they will not eat them until other sources are depleted. The berries are highly astringent but are made into wine and jelly. Callicarpa species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Endoclita malabaricus and Endoclita undulifer. Botanical Name: Callicarpa dichotoma kal-lee-KAR-pah dy-KOT-oh-mah Common Name: Purple beautyberry Genus: Callicarpa Grown for its rows of lilac-violet, round, glossy, tiny fruit, purple beautyberry is a small, deciduous shrub native to China, Korea, and Japan. Its long, arching branches often touch the ground, giving it an elegant shape. The small pink flowers in summer are followed by the small fruits that ripen in September and last through October. It has good yellow fall color as well. Noteworthy characteristics: Scores of berries in an unusual purple color. Attracts birds. Care: Needs fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or dappled shade. Prune annually, as buds begin to swell in early spring, to a low permanent framework. Plant in groups to assure good fruit set.
The temperate species are deciduous, the tropical species evergreen. The leaves are simple, opposite, and 5–25 cm long. The flowers are in clusters, white to pinkish. The fruit is a berry, 2–5 mm diameter and pink to red-purple with a highly distinctive metallic lustre, are very conspicuous in clusters on the bare branches after the leaves fall. The berries last well into the winter or dry season and are an important survival food for birds and other animals, though they will not eat them until other sources are depleted. The berries are highly astringent but are made into wine and jelly. Callicarpa species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Endoclita malabaricus and Endoclita undulifer. Botanical Name: Callicarpa dichotoma kal-lee-KAR-pah dy-KOT-oh-mah Common Name: Purple beautyberry Genus: Callicarpa Grown for its rows of lilac-violet, round, glossy, tiny fruit, purple beautyberry is a small, deciduous shrub native to China, Korea, and Japan. Its long, arching branches often touch the ground, giving it an elegant shape. The small pink flowers in summer are followed by the small fruits that ripen in September and last through October. It has good yellow fall color as well. Noteworthy characteristics: Scores of berries in an unusual purple color. Attracts birds. Care: Needs fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or dappled shade. Prune annually, as buds begin to swell in early spring, to a low permanent framework. Plant in groups to assure good fruit set.
Propagation: Root softwood cuttings in spring, or semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer. Sow seed in a cold frame in spring or fall. Problems: Cottony camellia scale, die back, leaf scorch, black mildew, and fungal leaf spots occur. Height 3 ft. to 6 ft. Spread 3 ft. to 6 ft. Growth Habit Clumps Growth Pace Moderate Grower Light Full Sun to Part Shade Moisture Medium Moisture Maintenance Low Characteristics Attracts Birds; Showy Fruit Bloom Time Summer Flower Color Pink Flower Uses Beds and Borders, Specimen Plant/ Focal Point Seasonal Interest Summer Interest, Fall Interest Type Shrubs
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