Red Beautyberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Red Beautyberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Callicarpa eriophylla
• Callicarpa panduriformis
• Callicarpa rubella var. crenata
• Callicarpa lasiantha
• Callicarpa subglabra
• Callicarpa rubella f. angustata
• Callicarpa rubella f. crenata
• Callicarpa rubella var. dielsii
• Callicarpa rubella var. hemsleyana
• Callicarpa rubella var. subglabra
• Callicarpa rubella f. subglabra
• Callicarpa rubella f. villosa
• Callicarpa sessilifolia
• Callicarpa brevipetiolata
• Callicarpa dielsii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Callicarpa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across parts of Asia. In China, it can be found inhabiting the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan regions. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the state of Assam. Additionally, the species is recorded as growing in Bangladesh. Together, these locations highlight the specific subtropical habitats where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Callicarpa rubella is characterized by its ability to thrive across a significant altitudinal gradient within its native habitat. This species occupies a broad vertical niche, ranging from lower montane environments to high-altitude zones. Specifically, its elevational range spans from a minimum of 600 m AMSL to a maximum of 3500 m AMSL. This wide distribution suggests an adaptability to varying temperature regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture levels found across these different mountain strata.

Elevational range max:

3500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Callicarpa rubella is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its stem system above the ground, while its specific growth habit is further classified as a nanophanerophyte, indicating a relatively low-growing woody structure. Throughout its seasonal progression, the species exhibits deciduousness, shedding its foliage as part of its natural rhythm to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Callicarpa rubella is characterized by its growth form as a shrub, exhibiting a woody structure that provides a sturdy framework. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite, maintaining its own metabolic processes without relying on a host. Furthermore, the plant is terrestrial in its ecological habit and is classified as a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not utilize climbing mechanisms such as tendrils or twining stems to ascend, instead relying on its own woody stems for structural integrity.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Callicarpa rubella is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, utilizing the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. Morphologically, the plant features elliptic leaf forms that are distinguished by a toothed leaf margin. In terms of defensive structural adaptations, the foliage is smooth and lacks specialized sharp appendages, as it possesses no leaf thorns and no leaf spines.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Callicarpa rubella has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Chemicals

Callicarpa rubella has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ISOPIMARIC ACID.

ISOPIMARIC ACID

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Conditions

Callicarpa rubella has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, inflammation, pain, rheumatism.

Atherosclerosis

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Phytochemistry

Alzheimer's disease

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Inflammation

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Pain

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Rheumatism

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Preparations

Callicarpa rubella has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include essential oils.

Essential oils

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)