American beautyberry
Callicarpa americana · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (249 studies) · ★★★★★
American beautyberry, scientifically known as Callicarpa americana, is a striking deciduous shrub native to the southeastern United States. Renowned for its vibrant, magenta-colored berry clusters, it serves as a vital food source for wildlife. Beyond its ornamental appeal, this plant possesses traditional medicinal properties used to soothe skin irritations.
Names
Common Names
- American Beautyberry
- American beauty-berry
- French-mulberry
- beauty-berry
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- Amerikanische Schönfrucht
- Amerikanische Schönfrucht
French:
- Callicarpe d'Amérique
- Callicarpe d'Amérique
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Callicarpa americanaSynonyms
- Callicarpa americana var. alba
- Johnsonia americana
- Callicarpa americana var. purpurea
- Callicarpa americana f. lactea
- Callicarpa americana var. lactea
- Callicarpa serrata
- Callicarpa viburnifolia
- Burchardia americana
- Burchardia callicarpa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed by the genus Callicarpa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Callicarpa | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the United States. In the North-Central region, it can be found growing in Missouri and Oklahoma. Moving toward the South-Central area, the species is also present in Texas. Its range extends into the Southeastern United States, where it is common in Alabama. Finally, it continues its southeastern presence within the state of Arkansas.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| North-Central U.S.A. | Missouri | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Oklahoma | WCVP |
| South-Central U.S.A. | Texas | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Alabama | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Arkansas | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Georgia | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Kentucky | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Louisiana | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Maryland | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as beautyberry, features distinct morphological characteristics across its various components. The leaves are typically large, oppositely arranged, and possess serrated edges that provide a lush, green canopy. Its woody twigs are sturdy and often serve as the structural base for the plant's vibrant displays, sometimes exhibiting a slightly reddish hue. Most notably, the plant produces striking clusters of small, spherical fruits that transition into a brilliant, metallic purple color, making them a highly recognizable feature of the species.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Callicarpa americana has 63 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-2-HEXENAL, (E)-beta-caryophyllene, (E)-beta-damascenone, (E,E)-2,4-Heptadienal, (Z)-3-HEXENOL.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| (E)-2-HEXENAL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (E)-beta-caryophyllene | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (E)-beta-damascenone | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (E,E)-2,4-Heptadienal | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (Z)-3-HEXENOL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (Z)-3-hexenol acetate | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,8-Cineole | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-OCTEN-3-OL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-HEXEN-1-OL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-OCTANOL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
(E)-2-HEXENAL
- Dr. Duke
(E)-beta-caryophyllene
- Dr. Duke
(E)-beta-damascenone
- Dr. Duke
(E,E)-2,4-Heptadienal
- Dr. Duke
(Z)-3-HEXENOL
- Dr. Duke
(Z)-3-hexenol acetate
- Dr. Duke
1,8-Cineole
- Dr. Duke
1-OCTEN-3-OL
- Dr. Duke
2-HEXEN-1-OL
- Dr. Duke
3-OCTANOL
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Callicarpa americana has 177 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, ACE-Inhibitor, AChE-Inhibitor.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Chronotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Inotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ACE-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AChE-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acaricide | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allelochemic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allelopathic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Callicarpa americana has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, acne vulgaris, fever, pruritis.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus | ACS infectious diseases (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne vulgaris | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pruritis | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| ethanol leaf extract | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |