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Purple Beautyberry

Callicarpa dichotoma

Found in roadsides, powerline rights-of-way, woodland edges, suburban woodlands, bogs, bottomlands. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
2–4 feet
Spread
2–4 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Somewhat dry to moist
See native alternatives

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • Dangleberry
    Gaylussacia frondosa

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Pink or white.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

    Different: bloom season

  • Swamp Rosemallow
    Hibiscus moscheutos

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Pink, red or white.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Wild Bergamot
    Monarda fistulosa

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Pink or purple.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

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At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
July to November

Recorded in 22 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 4

Forest edges and thickets

Wooded scene looking out over partially open fields
Named place / source context. Shown: Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Georgia and Tennessee; which part is not recorded, a neighboring state.Wooded scene looking out over partially open fields, Richard Schlecht, undated. Public domain. Source record.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Forests and woodlands

Forest or woodland where the source does not say how moist or dry.

Floodplain and bottomland forests

Forests on low ground beside rivers and streams that flood from time to time.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

2CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Callicarpa

  • Anavitrinella pampinariaCommon Gray, Cranberry Spanworm
  • Manduca rusticaRustic Sphinx
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
3BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Callicarpa

  • Hylocichla mustelinaWood Thrush
  • Meleagris gallopavoWild Turkey
  • Vireo olivaceusRed-eyed Vireo
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Lamiaceae
Hardiness
Zones 5a–8b
Soil pH
Acidic to neutral
Flower color
Pink, purple or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources