American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana): Section 7.5.8, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual

A plant materials report on American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is provided as Section 7.5.8 of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Resources Management Manual. The report was prepared as a guide to assist the Corps biologist with the selection, cultivation, and management of suitable plant materials for wildlife and habitat management programs. Major topics covered are description, distribution, habitat requirements, wildlife value, establishment, and maintenance. American beautyberry is a coarse, open shrub that occurs throughout the southeastern United States The clusters of showy, bright violet to reddish-purple berries encircling the stem at regular intervals are diagnostic. Beautyberry is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant commonly occurring along field borders, roadsides, at the edges of woods, and in forest openings It grows well in moist, moderately drained to well-drained fertile loams but is tolerant of infertile soils characteristic of disturbed sites. Beautyberry is considered to be of medium food and cover value for wildlife. Approximately 20 species of birds and several mammals feed on the fruit It is a common browse species of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virgisianus) in the coastal plain. Ecosystem Management and Restoration Research Program.