VERVAIN FAMILY
278. FRENCH MULBERRY (Callicarpa americana L.) or beautyberry: a medium shrub fairly common in low woods especially where sandy. Leaves: simple, opposite, coarsely toothed, 3 to 5 inches long, 1½ to 3 wide, light green, tapering at both ends, softly fuzzy on both sides and with tiny shining glands beneath. Twigs: with pale, rusty fuzz. Flowers: pale pink, in dense clusters close to the branches at each pair of leaves. Fruit: bright reddish purple, about ¼ inch across, in dense clusters 1 to 1½ inches across, surrounding the stems. Often planted for the decorative fruits which are attractive to birds. [K] (p. 341).
278 French mulberry