01/27/2021
Pittsburgh Flora:
Ever wondered what these bushes with the bright purple berries are? I have! They belong to a group of plants called "Callicarpa" otherwise known as the Beautyberry! The plant pictured likely belongs to the Callicarpa Americana species. They require little attention after planting and are considered relatively pest and disease free.
The leaf oil has been used to repel insects in various ways and lab studies have shown it is effective for this. While the berries are not poisonous, they are said to be relatively flavorless and the odor makes them unpleasant to eat raw. However many have successfully made them into jelly!
