Field ManualAll plants

American beautyberry
Callicarpa americana L.
Family: Lamiaceae
Pet & Human Safety
People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them
Dogs, cats, horses: UF/IFAS and NC State carry no poisonous or 'problem for' tags for this plant. That is silence, not an all-clear.
PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.
Poison control
If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.
Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.
Naturalist Lore
Historical Background & Breeding Lore
The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.
Get the app: coming soonCare
- Hardiness zones
USDA 7A-11B per UF/IFAS EDIS FP090 (Florida-Friendly Landscaping); USDA 6a-10b per NC State Plant Toolbox
- Light
Full sun to part shade (UF/IFAS and NC State); NC State: intolerant of deep shade.
- Water needs
low
- Mature size
US-FL: UF/IFAS: height 3-8 ft, spread 4-8 ft; US: NC State: 3-8 ft tall, 3-6 ft wide
How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.
Get the app: coming soonAnatomy & Guilds
Botanical Anatomy & Characteristics
How the flowers and leaves are built and which pollinators visit, where we have them.
Get the app: coming soonField Doctor
Field Doctor
What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.
Get the app: coming soonVintage Plates
Vintage Plates
Old botanical drawings from public libraries are in the app, for plants where we have them.
Get the app: coming soon