American Beautyberry/French-mulberry, Callicarpa americana

by Bob Harms ()

Best known for its distinctive magenta fall berries, the pink blossoms in late spring also deserve attention. Starting with locally collected seeds, we introduced the French-mulberry along the banks of our creek, where it has flourished. Deer browsing has been minimal; established bushes have been browsed only in periods of extreme drought.

Initially local birds did not seem to care for the berries, unlike the birds along the Austin green belt. But the emergence of numerous French mulberry bushes in many areas that get seasonal moisture shows that the fruits are being consumed. Since these same areas also show volunteer Brazoria palmettos, we can't rule out raccoons as possible agents of distribution.