Callicarpia americana is a decicuous shrub. Early summer delicate lilac to pink blooms turn into showy metallic shades of purple-magenta berries in the fall.

Beautyberry occurs on a wide variety of sites, moist to dry soil and, open areas to shade.

This beautyberry bush is sitting under an oak, but still getting quite a bit of sun.

The leaves, when crushed, emit a fruity scent. It was once used as an insect repellent, keeping the mosquitoes and horseflies off of horses.

I've crushed the leaves and rubbed them on my skin, with good results keeping the mosquitoes away. I'll have to try it again this year to keep the deer and horseflies away ~ they've been particularly bad this year!!

By late summer and into autumn, the berries have ripened into a vibrant purple color, in tight clusters around the stem.

The berries are food for a range of wildlife, including various birds and white tailed deer.

Birds will drop the seeds, spreading the plant but it will often self seed within its range, growing vigorously.