American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is native to the southern United States including Maryland to Florida, west to Texas and Arkansas, also Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and Cuba. The berries are ripe right now in Florida. They attract many species of birds including Cardinals, Mockingbirds, Finches, Woodpeckers and many more. Don’t be fooled though. Pay attention to the scientific name, Callicarpa americana. That is the native plant.
Autumn is approaching. The leaves of some Flowering Dogwoods are getting richer, more and more red. Their crimson berries, or drupes, are in abundance. This is the species of Dogwood that most people think of when “Dogwood” is mentioned.
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) and Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa). Two different Dogwood species. One of seventeen species native to North America. Like most Dogwood species, these two have opposite leaves as well as leaves with visible veins that curve parallel to the smooth edges.
Gray Dogwood’s creamy white berries are plentiful now too, much to the pleasure of Cardinals, Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, Bluebirds and many other songbirds.
Flowering Dogwoods grow as single trees. Gray Dogwoods form colonies, by growing suckers and spreading. These dense colonies create a perfect space for nesting songbirds. Glad to see these berries. Autumn is approaching!
